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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5339-0.txt b/5339-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1b9550 --- /dev/null +++ b/5339-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4028 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Peter Schlemihl etc., by Adelbert Chamisso, +Edited by Henry Morley + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Peter Schlemihl etc. + + +Author: Adelbert Chamisso + +Editor: Henry Morley + +Release Date: July 27, 2014 [eBook #5339] +[This file was first posted on July 2, 2002] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PETER SCHLEMIHL ETC.*** + + +Transcribed from the 1889 Cassell & Company edition by David Price, email +ccx074@pglaf.org + + CASSELL’S NATIONAL LIBRARY. + + * * * * * + + + + + + PETER SCHLEMIHL + + + BY + ADELBERT CHAMISSO + + THE STORY WITHOUT AN END + BY + CARODÉ + + HYMNS TO THE NIGHT + BY + NOVALIS + + [Picture: Decorative graphic] + + CASSELL & COMPANY, Limited: + LONDON, PARIS & MELBOURNE + 1889 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +“PETER SCHLEMIHL,” one of the pleasantest fancies of the days when +Germany delighted in romance, was first published in 1814, and was +especially naturalised in England by association with the genius of +George Cruikshank, who enriched a translation of it with some of his +happiest work as an illustrator. An account of the book and its author +is here reprinted at the end of the tale, as originally given by the +translator. To this account one or two notes may be added. Louis +Charles Adelaide de Chamisso de Boncourt was born on the 27th of January, +1781, at the Château of Boncourt, in Champagne, which he made the subject +of one of his most beautiful lyrics. He belonged to a family faithful to +Louis XVI., that fled to Würzburg from the fury of the French Revolution. +Thus he was taken to Germany a child of nine, and was left there when the +family, with other emigrants, returned to France in 1801. At fifteen he +had Teutonised his name to Adelbert von Chamisso, and was appointed page +to the Queen of Prussia. In the war that came afterwards, for a very +short time he bore arms against the French, but being one of a garrison +taken in the captured fort of Hamlin, he and his comrades had to pledge +their honour that they would not again bear arms against France during +that war. After the war he visited France. His parents then were dead, +and though he stayed in France some years, he wrote from France to a +friend, “I am German heart and soul, and cannot feel at home here.” He +wandered irresolutely, then became Professor of Literature in a gymnasium +in La Vendée. Still he was restless. In 1812 he set off for a walk in +Switzerland, returned to Germany, and took to the study of anatomy. In +1813, Napoleon’s expedition to Russia and the peril to France from +legions marching upon Paris caused to Chamisso suffering and confusion of +mind. + +It is often said that his sense of isolation between interests of the +land of his forefathers and the land of his adoption makes itself felt +through all the wild playfulness of “Peter Schlemihl,” which was at this +time written, when Chamisso’s age was about thirty-two. A letter of his +to the Councillor Trinius, in Petersburg, tells how he came to write it. +He had lost on a pedestrian tour his hat, his knapsack, his gloves, and +his pocket handkerchief—the chief movables about him. His friend Fouqué +asked him whether he hadn’t also lost his shadow? The friends pleased +their fancies in imagining what would have happened to him if he had. +Not long afterwards he was reading in La Fontaine of a polite man who +drew out of his pocket whatever was asked for. Chamisso thought, He will +be bringing out next a coach and horses. Out of these hints came the +fancy of “Peter Schlemihl, the Shadowless Man.” In all thought that goes +with invention of a poet, there are depths as well as shallows, and the +reader may get now and then a peep into the depths. He may find, if he +will, in a man’s shadow that outward expression of himself which shows +that he has been touched, like others, by the light of heaven. But +essentially the story is a poet’s whim. Later writings of Chamisso +proved him to be one of the best lyric poets of the romance school of his +time, entirely German in his tone of thought. His best poem, “Salas y +Gomez,” describes the feeling of a solitary on a sea-girt rock, living on +eggs of the numberless sea-birds until old age, when a ship is in sight, +and passes him, and his last agony of despair is followed by a triumph in +the strength of God. + + “Alone and world-forsaken let me die; + Thy Grace is all my wealth, for all my loss: + On my bleached bones out of the southern sky + Thy Love will look down from the starry cross.” + +The “Story Without an End”—a story of the endless beauty of Creation—is +from a writer who has no name on the rolls of fame. The little piece has +been made famous among us by the good will of Sarah Austin. The child +who enjoyed it, and for whom she made the delicate translation which here +follows next after Chamisso’s “Peter Schlemihl,” was that only daughter +who became Lady Duff-Gordon, and with whom we have made acquaintance in +this Library as the translator of “The Amber Witch.” + +To make up the tale of pages in this little book without breaking its +uniformity, I have added a translation of the “Hymns to Night” of +Novalis. It is a translation made by myself seven-and-forty years ago, +and printed in a student’s magazine that I then edited. “Novalis” was +the name assumed by a poet, Friedrich von Hardenberg, who died on the +25th March, 1801, aged twenty-nine. He was bred among the Moravian +brethren, and then sent to the University of Jena. Two years after his +marriage to a young wife, Sophie von Kühn, she died. That was in 1797. +At the same time he lost a brother who was very dear to him. It was +then—four years before his own death—that he wrote his “Hymns to Night.” + + H. M. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE +FROM +A. VON CHAMISSO TO JULIUS EDWARD HITZIG. + + +YOU, who forget nobody, must surely remember one Peter Schlemihl, whom +you used to meet occasionally at my house—a long-legged youth, who was +considered stupid and lazy, on account of his awkward and careless air. +I was sincerely attached to him. You cannot have forgotten him, Edward. +He was on one occasion the hero of our rhymes, in the hey-day of our +youthful spirits; and I recollect taking him one evening to a poetical +tea-party, where he fell asleep while I was writing, without even waiting +to hear my effusion: and this reminds me of a witticism of yours +respecting him. You had already seen him, I know not where or when, in +an old black frock-coat, which, indeed, he constantly wore; and you said, +“He would be a lucky fellow if his soul were half as immortal as his +coat,” so little opinion had you of him. _I_ loved him, however: and to +this very Schlemihl, of whom for many years I had wholly lost sight, I am +indebted for the little volume which I communicate to you, Edward, my +most intimate friend, my second self, from whom I have no secrets;—to +you, and of course our Fouqué, I commit them, who like you is intimately +entwined about my dearest affections,—to him I communicate them only as a +friend, but not as a poet; for you can easily imagine how unpleasant it +would be if a secret confided to me by an honest man, relying implicitly +on my friendship and honour, were to be exposed to the public in a poem. + +One word more as to the manner in which I obtained these sheets: +yesterday morning early, as soon as I was up, they were brought to me. +An extraordinary-looking man, with a long grey beard, and wearing an old +black frock-coat with a botanical case hanging at his side, and slippers +over his boots, in the damp, rainy weather, had just been inquiring for +me, and left me these papers, saying he came from Berlin. + + ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO. + + + + +PETER SCHLEMIHL, +_THE SHADOWLESS MAN_. + + +CHAPTER I. + + +AFTER a prosperous, but to me very wearisome, voyage, we came at last +into port. Immediately on landing I got together my few effects; and, +squeezing myself through the crowd, went into the nearest and humblest +inn which first met my gaze. On asking for a room the waiter looked at +me from head to foot, and conducted me to one. I asked for some cold +water, and for the correct address of Mr. Thomas John, which was +described as being “by the north gate, the first country-house to the +right, a large new house of red and white marble, with many pillars.” +This was enough. As the day was not yet far advanced, I untied my +bundle, took out my newly-turned black coat, dressed myself in my best +clothes, and, with my letter of recommendation, set out for the man who +was to assist me in the attainment of my moderate wishes. + +After proceeding up the north street, I reached the gate, and saw the +marble columns glittering through the trees. Having wiped the dust from +my shoes with my pocket-handkerchief and readjusted my cravat, I rang the +bell—offering up at the same time a silent prayer. The door flew open, +and the porter sent in my name. I had soon the honour to be invited into +the park, where Mr. John was walking with a few friends. I recognised +him at once by his corpulency and self-complacent air. He received me +very well—just as a rich man receives a poor devil; and turning to me, +took my letter. “Oh, from my brother! it is a long time since I heard +from him: is he well?—Yonder,” he went on,—turning to the company, and +pointing to a distant hill—“Yonder is the site of the new building.” He +broke the seal without discontinuing the conversation, which turned upon +riches. “The man,” he said, “who does not possess at least a million is +a poor wretch.” “Oh, how true!” I exclaimed, in the fulness of my heart. +He seemed pleased at this, and replied with a smile, “Stop here, my dear +friend; afterwards I shall, perhaps, have time to tell you what I think +of this,” pointing to the letter, which he then put into his pocket, and +turned round to the company, offering his arm to a young lady: his +example was followed by the other gentlemen, each politely escorting a +lady; and the whole party proceeded towards a little hill thickly planted +with blooming roses. + +I followed without troubling any one, for none took the least further +notice of me. The party was in high spirits—lounging about and +jesting—speaking sometimes of trifling matters very seriously, and of +serious matters as triflingly—and exercising their wit in particular to +great advantage on their absent friends and their affairs. I was too +ignorant of what they were talking about to understand much of it, and +too anxious and absorbed in my own reflections to occupy myself with the +solution of such enigmas as their conversation presented. + +By this time we had reached the thicket of roses. The lovely Fanny, who +seemed to be the queen of the day, was obstinately bent on plucking a +rose-branch for herself, and in the attempt pricked her finger with a +thorn. The crimson stream, as if flowing from the dark-tinted rose, +tinged her fair hand with the purple current. This circumstance set the +whole company in commotion; and court-plaster was called for. A quiet, +elderly man, tall, and meagre-looking, who was one of the company, but +whom I had not before observed, immediately put his hand into the tight +breast-pocket of his old-fashioned coat of grey sarsnet, pulled out a +small letter-case, opened it, and, with a most respectful bow, presented +the lady with the wished-for article. She received it without noticing +the giver, or thanking him. The wound was bound up, and the party +proceeded along the hill towards the back part, from which they enjoyed +an extensive view across the green labyrinth of the park to the +wide-spreading ocean. The view was truly a magnificent one. A slight +speck was observed on the horizon, between the dark flood and the azure +sky. “A telescope!” called out Mr. John; but before any of the servants +could answer the summons the grey man, with a modest bow, drew his hand +from his pocket, and presented a beautiful Dollond’s telescope to Mr. +John, who, on looking through it, informed the company that the speck in +the distance was the ship which had sailed yesterday, and which was +detained within sight of the haven by contrary winds. The telescope +passed from hand to hand, but was not returned to the owner, whom I gazed +at with astonishment, and could not conceive how so large an instrument +could have proceeded from so small a pocket. This, however, seemed to +excite surprise in no one; and the grey man appeared to create as little +interest as myself. + +Refreshments were now brought forward, consisting of the rarest fruits +from all parts of the world, served up in the most costly dishes. Mr. +John did the honours with unaffected grace, and addressed me for the +second time, saying, “You had better eat; you did not get such things at +sea.” I acknowledged his politeness with a bow, which, however, he did +not perceive, having turned round to speak with some one else. + +The party would willingly have stopped some time here on the declivity of +the hill, to enjoy the extensive prospect before them, had they not been +apprehensive of the dampness of the grass. “How delightful it would be,” +exclaimed some one, “if we had a Turkey carpet to lay down here!” The +wish was scarcely expressed when the man in the grey coat put his hand in +his pocket, and, with a modest and even humble air, pulled out a rich +Turkey carpet, embroidered in gold. The servant received it as a matter +of course, and spread it out on the desired spot; and, without any +ceremony, the company seated themselves on it. Confounded by what I saw, +I gazed again at the man, his pocket, and the carpet, which was more than +twenty feet in length and ten in breadth; and rubbed my eyes, not knowing +what to think, particularly as no one saw anything extraordinary in the +matter. + +I would gladly have made some inquiries respecting the man, and asked who +he was, but knew not to whom I should address myself, for I felt almost +more afraid of the servants than of their master. At length I took +courage, and stepping up to a young man who seemed of less consequence +than the others, and who was more frequently standing by himself, I +begged of him, in a low tone, to tell me who the obliging gentleman was +in the grey cloak. “That man who looks like a piece of thread just +escaped from a tailor’s needle?” “Yes; he who is standing alone yonder.” +“I do not know,” was the reply; and to avoid, as it seemed, any further +conversation with me, he turned away, and spoke of some common-place +matters with a neighbour. + +The sun’s rays now being stronger, the ladies complained of feeling +oppressed by the heat; and the lovely Fanny, turning carelessly to the +grey man, to whom I had not yet observed that any one had addressed the +most trifling question, asked him if, perhaps, he had not a tent about +him. He replied, with a low bow, as if some unmerited honour had been +conferred upon him; and, putting his hand in his pocket, drew from it +canvas, poles, cord, iron—in short, everything belonging to the most +splendid tent for a party of pleasure. The young gentlemen assisted in +pitching it: and it covered the whole carpet: but no one seemed to think +that there was anything extraordinary in it. + +I had long secretly felt uneasy—indeed, almost horrified; but how was +this feeling increased when, at the next wish expressed, I saw him take +from his pocket three horses! Yes, Adelbert, three large beautiful +steeds, with saddles and bridles, out of the very pocket whence had +already issued a letter-case, a telescope, a carpet twenty feet broad and +ten in length, and a pavilion of the same extent, with all its +appurtenances! Did I not assure thee that my own eyes had seen all this, +thou wouldst certainly disbelieve it. + +This man, although he appeared so humble and embarrassed in his air and +manners, and passed so unheeded, had inspired me with such a feeling of +horror by the unearthly paleness of his countenance, from which I could +not avert my eyes, that I was unable longer to endure it. + +I determined, therefore, to steal away from the company, which appeared +no difficult matter, from the undistinguished part I acted in it. I +resolved to return to the town, and pay another visit to Mr. John the +following morning, and, at the same time, make some inquiries of him +relative to the extraordinary man in grey, provided I could command +sufficient courage. Would to Heaven that such good fortune had awaited +me! + +I had stolen safely down the hill, through the thicket of roses, and now +found myself on an open plain; but fearing lest I should be met out of +the proper path, crossing the grass, I cast an inquisitive glance around, +and started as I beheld the man in the grey cloak advancing towards me. +He took off his hat, and made me a lower bow than mortal had ever yet +favoured me with. It was evident that he wished to address me; and I +could not avoid encountering him without seeming rude. I returned his +salutation, therefore, and stood bareheaded in the sunshine as if rooted +to the ground. I gazed at him with the utmost horror, and felt like a +bird fascinated by a serpent. + +He affected himself to have an air of embarrassment. With his eyes on +the ground, he bowed several times, drew nearer, and at last, without +looking up, addressed me in a low and hesitating voice, almost in the +tone of a suppliant: “Will you, sir, excuse my importunity in venturing +to intrude upon you in so unusual a manner? I have a request to +make—would you most graciously be pleased to allow me—!” “Hold! for +Heaven’s sake!” I exclaimed; “what can I do for a man who”—I stopped in +some confusion, which he seemed to share. After a moment’s pause, he +resumed: “During the short time I have had the pleasure to be in your +company, I have—permit me, sir, to say—beheld with unspeakable admiration +your most beautiful shadow, and remarked the air of noble indifference +with which you, at the same time, turn from the glorious picture at your +feet, as if disdaining to vouchsafe a glance at it. Excuse the boldness +of my proposal; but perhaps you would have no objection to sell me your +shadow?” He stopped, while my head turned round like a mill-wheel. What +was I to think of so extraordinary a proposal? To sell my shadow! “He +must be mad,” thought I; and assuming a tone more in character with the +submissiveness of his own, I replied, “My good friend, are you not +content with your own shadow? This would be a bargain of a strange +nature indeed!” + +“I have in my pocket,” he said, “many things which may possess some value +in your eyes: for that inestimable shadow I should deem the highest price +too little.” + +A cold shuddering came over me as I recollected the pocket; and I could +not conceive what had induced me to style him “_good friend_,” which I +took care not to repeat, endeavouring to make up for it by a studied +politeness. + +I now resumed the conversation:—“But, Sir—excuse your humble servant—I am +at a loss to comprehend your meaning,—my shadow?—how can I?” + +“Permit me,” he exclaimed, interrupting me, “to gather up the noble image +as it lies on the ground, and to take it into my possession. As to the +manner of accomplishing it, leave that to me. In return, and as an +evidence of my gratitude, I shall leave you to choose among all the +treasures I have in my pocket, among which are a variety of enchanting +articles, not exactly adapted for you, who, I am sure, would like better +to have the wishing-cap of Fortunatus, all made new and sound again, and +a lucky purse which also belonged to him.” + +“Fortunatus’s purse!” cried I; and, great as was my mental anguish, with +that one word he had penetrated the deepest recesses of my soul. A +feeling of giddiness came over me, and double ducats glittered before my +eyes. + +“Be pleased, gracious sir, to examine this purse, and make a trial of its +contents.” He put his hand in his pocket, and drew forth a large +strongly stitched bag of stout Cordovan leather, with a couple of strings +to match, and presented it to me. I seized it—took out ten gold pieces, +then ten more, and this I repeated again and again. Instantly I held out +my hand to him. “Done,” said I; “the bargain is made: my shadow for the +purse.” “Agreed,” he answered; and, immediately kneeling down, I beheld +him, with extraordinary dexterity, gently loosen my shadow from the +grass, lift it up, fold it together, and, at last put it in his pocket. +He then rose, bowed once more to me, and directed his steps towards the +rose bushes. I fancied I heard him quietly laughing to himself. +However, I held the purse fast by the two strings. The earth was basking +beneath the brightness of the sun; but I presently lost all +consciousness. + +On recovering my senses, I hastened to quit a place where I hoped there +was nothing further to detain me. I first filled my pockets with gold, +then fastened the strings of the purse round my neck, and concealed it in +my bosom. I passed unnoticed out of the park, gained the high road, and +took the way to the town. As I was thoughtfully approaching the gate, I +heard some one behind me exclaiming, “Young man! young man! you have lost +your shadow!” I turned, and perceived an old woman calling after me. +“Thank you, my good woman,” said I; and throwing her a piece of gold for +her well-intended information, I stepped under the trees. At the gate, +again, it was my fate to hear the sentry inquiring where the gentleman +had left his shadow; and immediately I heard a couple of women +exclaiming, “Jesu Maria! the poor man has no shadow.” All this began to +depress me, and I carefully avoided walking in the sun; but this could +not everywhere be the case: for in the next broad street I had to cross, +and, unfortunately for me, at the very hour in which the boys were coming +out of school, a humpbacked lout of a fellow—I see him yet—soon made the +discovery that I was without a shadow, and communicated the news, with +loud outcries, to a knot of young urchins. The whole swarm proceeded +immediately to reconnoitre me, and to pelt me with mud. “People,” cried +they, “are generally accustomed to take their shadows with them when they +walk in the sunshine.” + +In order to drive them away I threw gold by handfuls among them, and +sprang into a hackney-coach which some compassionate spectators sent to +my rescue. + +As soon as I found myself alone in the rolling vehicle I began to weep +bitterly. I had by this time a misgiving that, in the same degree in +which gold in this world prevails over merit and virtue, by so much one’s +shadow excels gold; and now that I had sacrificed my conscience for +riches, and given my shadow in exchange for mere gold, what on earth +would become of me? + +As the coach stopped at the door of my late inn, I felt much perplexed, +and not at all disposed to enter so wretched an abode. I called for my +things, and received them with an air of contempt, threw down a few gold +pieces, and desired to be conducted to a first-rate hotel. This house +had a northern aspect, so that I had nothing to fear from the sun. I +dismissed the coachman with gold; asked to be conducted to the best +apartment, and locked myself up in it as soon as possible. + +Imagine, my friend, what I then set about? O my dear Chamisso! even to +thee I blush to mention what follows. + +I drew the ill-fated purse from my bosom; and, in a sort of frenzy that +raged like a self-fed fire within me, I took out gold—gold—gold—more and +more, till I strewed it on the floor, trampled upon it, and feasting on +its very sound and brilliancy, added coins to coins, rolling and +revelling on the gorgeous bed, until I sank exhausted. + +Thus passed away that day and evening; and as my door remained locked, +night found me still lying on the gold, where, at last, sleep overpowered +me. + +Then I dreamed of thee, and fancied I stood behind the glass door of thy +little room, and saw thee seated at thy table between a skeleton and a +bunch of dried plants; before thee lay open the works of Haller, +Humboldt, and Linnæus; on thy sofa a volume of Goethe, and the Enchanted +Ring. I stood a long time contemplating thee, and everything in thy +apartment; and again turning my gaze upon thee, I perceived that thou +wast motionless—thou didst not breathe—thou wast dead. + +I awoke—it seemed yet early—my watch had stopped. I felt thirsty, faint, +and worn out; for since the preceding morning I had not tasted food. I +now cast from me, with loathing and disgust, the very gold with which but +a short time before I had satiated my foolish heart. Now I knew not +where to put it—I dared not leave it lying there. I examined my purse to +see if it would hold it,—impossible! Neither of my windows opened on the +sea. I had no other resource but, with toil and great fatigue, to drag +it to a huge chest which stood in a closet in my room; where I placed it +all, with the exception of a handful or two. Then I threw myself, +exhausted, into an arm-chair, till the people of the house should be up +and stirring. As soon as possible I sent for some refreshment, and +desired to see the landlord. + +I entered into some conversation with this man respecting the arrangement +of my future establishment. He recommended for my personal attendant one +Bendel, whose honest and intelligent countenance immediately prepossessed +me in his favour. It is this individual whose persevering attachment has +consoled me in all the miseries of my life, and enabled me to bear up +under my wretched lot. I was occupied the whole day in my room with +servants in want of a situation, and tradesmen of every description. I +decided on my future plans, and purchased various articles of vertu and +splendid jewels, in order to get rid of some of my gold; but nothing +seemed to diminish the inexhaustible heap. + +I now reflected on my situation with the utmost uneasiness. I dared not +take a single step beyond my own door; and in the evening I had forty wax +tapers lighted before I ventured to leave the shade. I reflected with +horror on the frightful encounter with the school-boys; yet I resolved, +if I could command sufficient courage, to put the public opinion to a +second trial. The nights were now moonlight. Late in the evening I +wrapped myself in a large cloak, pulled my hat over my eyes, and, +trembling like a criminal, stole out of the house. + +I did not venture to leave the friendly shadow of the houses until I had +reached a distant part of the town; and then I emerged into the broad +moonlight, fully prepared to hear my fate from the lips of the +passers-by. + +Spare me, my beloved friend, the painful recital of all that I was doomed +to endure. The women often expressed the deepest sympathy for me—a +sympathy not less piercing to my soul than the scoffs of the young +people, and the proud contempt of the men, particularly of the more +corpulent, who threw an ample shadow before them. A fair and beauteous +maiden, apparently accompanied by her parents, who gravely kept looking +straight before them, chanced to cast a beaming glance on me; but was +evidently startled at perceiving that I was without a shadow, and hiding +her lovely face in her veil, and holding down her head, passed silently +on. + +This was past all endurance. Tears streamed from my eyes; and with a +heart pierced through and through, I once more took refuge in the shade. +I leant on the houses for support, and reached home at a late hour, worn +out with fatigue. + +I passed a sleepless night. My first care the following morning was, to +devise some means of discovering the man in the grey cloak. Perhaps I +may succeed in finding him; and how fortunate it were if he should be as +ill satisfied with his bargain as I am with mine! + +I desired Bendel to be sent for, who seemed to possess some tact and +ability. I minutely described to him the individual who possessed a +treasure without which life itself was rendered a burden to me. I +mentioned the time and place at which I had seen him, named all the +persons who were present, and concluded with the following directions:—He +was to inquire for a Dollond’s telescope, a Turkey carpet interwoven with +gold, a marquee, and, finally, for some black steeds—the history, without +entering into particulars, of all these being singularly connected with +the mysterious character who seemed to pass unnoticed by every one, but +whose appearance had destroyed the peace and happiness of my life. + +As I spoke I produced as much gold as I could hold in my two hands, and +added jewels and precious stones of still greater value. “Bendel,” said +I, “this smooths many a path, and renders that easy which seems almost +impossible. Be not sparing of it, for I am not so; but go, and rejoice +thy master with intelligence on which depend all his hopes.” + +He departed, and returned late and melancholy. + +None of Mr. John’s servants, none of his guests (and Bendel had spoken to +them all) had the slightest recollection of the man in the grey cloak. + +The new telescope was still there, but no one knew how it had come; and +the tent and Turkey carpet were still stretched out on the hill. The +servants boasted of their master’s wealth; but no one seemed to know by +what means he had become possessed of these newly acquired luxuries. He +was gratified; and it gave him no concern to be ignorant how they had +come to him. The black coursers which had been mounted on that day were +in the stables of the young gentlemen of the party, who admired them as +the munificent present of Mr. John. + +Such was the information I gained from Bendel’s detailed account; but, in +spite of this unsatisfactory result, his zeal and prudence deserved and +received my commendation. In a gloomy mood, I made him a sign to +withdraw. + +“I have, sir,” he continued, “laid before you all the information in my +power relative to the subject of the most importance to you. I have now +a message to deliver which I received early this morning from a person at +the gate, as I was proceeding to execute the commission in which I have +so unfortunately failed. The man’s words were precisely these: ‘Tell +your master, Peter Schlemihl, he will not see me here again. I am going +to cross the sea; a favourable wind now calls all the passengers on +board; but, in a year and a day I shall have the honour of paying him a +visit; when, in all probability, I shall have a proposal to make to him +of a very agreeable nature. Commend me to him most respectfully, with +many thanks.’ I inquired his name; but he said you would remember him.” + +“What sort of person was he?” cried I, in great emotion; and Bendel +described the man in the grey coat feature by feature, word for word; in +short, the very individual in search of whom he had been sent. “How +unfortunate!” cried I bitterly; “it was himself.” Scales, as it were, +fell from Bendel’s eyes. “Yes, it was he,” cried he, “undoubtedly it was +he; and fool, madman, that I was, I did not recognise him—I did not, and +have betrayed my master!” He then broke out into a torrent of +self-reproach; and his distress really excited my compassion. I +endeavoured to console him, repeatedly assuring him that I entertained no +doubt of his fidelity; and despatched him immediately to the wharf, to +discover, if possible, some trace of the extraordinary being. But on +that very morning many vessels which had been detained in port by +contrary winds had set sail, all bound to different parts of the globe; +and the grey man had disappeared like a shadow. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +OF what use were wings to a man fast bound in chains of iron? They would +but increase the horror of his despair. Like the dragon guarding his +treasure, I remained cut off from all human intercourse, and starving +amidst my very gold, for it gave me no pleasure: I anathematised it as +the source of all my wretchedness. + +Sole depository of my fearful secret, I trembled before the meanest of my +attendants, whom, at the same time, I envied; for he possessed a shadow, +and could venture to go out in the daytime; while I shut myself up in my +room day and night, and indulged in all the bitterness of grief. + +One individual, however, was daily pining away before my eyes—my faithful +Bendel, who was the victim of silent self-reproach, tormenting himself +with the idea that he had betrayed the confidence reposed in him by a +good master, in failing to recognise the individual in quest of whom he +had been sent, and with whom he had been led to believe that my +melancholy fate was closely connected. Still, I had nothing to accuse +him with, as I recognised in the occurrence the mysterious character of +the unknown. + +In order to leave no means untried, I one day despatched Bendel with a +costly ring to the most celebrated artist in the town, desiring him to +wait upon me. He came; and, dismissing the attendants, I secured the +door, placing myself opposite to him, and, after extolling his art, with +a heavy heart came to the point, first enjoining the strictest secrecy. + +“For a person,” said I, “who most unfortunately has lost his shadow, +could you paint a false one?” + +“Do you speak of the natural shadow?” + +“Precisely so.” + +“But,” he asked, “by what awkward negligence can a man have lost his +shadow?” + +“How it occurred,” I answered, “is of no consequence; but it was in this +manner”—(and here I uttered an unblushing falsehood)—“he was travelling +in Russia last winter, and one bitterly cold day it froze so intensely, +that his shadow remained so fixed to the ground, that it was found +impossible to remove it.” + +“The false shadow that I might paint,” said the artist, “would be liable +to be lost on the slightest movement, particularly in a person who, from +your account, cares so little about his shadow. A person without a +shadow should keep out of the sun, that is the only safe and rational +plan.” + +He rose and took his leave, casting so penetrating a look at me that I +shrunk from it. I sank back in my chair, and hid my face in my hands. + +In this attitude Bendel found me, and was about to withdraw silently and +respectfully on seeing me in such a state of grief: looking up, +overwhelmed with my sorrows, I felt that I must communicate them to him. +“Bendel,” I exclaimed, “Bendel, thou the only being who seest and +respectest my grief too much to inquire into its cause—thou who seemest +silently and sincerely to sympathise with me—come and share my +confidence. The extent of my wealth I have not withheld from thee, +neither will I conceal from thee the extent of my grief. Bendel! forsake +me not. Bendel, you see me rich, free, beneficent; you fancy all the +world in my power; yet you must have observed that I shun it, and avoid +all human intercourse. You think, Bendel, that the world and I are at +variance; and you yourself, perhaps, will abandon me, when I acquaint you +with this fearful secret. Bendel, I am rich, free, generous; but, O God, +I have _no shadow_!” + +“No shadow!” exclaimed the faithful young man, tears starting from his +eyes. “Alas! that I am born to serve a master without a shadow!” He was +silent, and again I hid my face in my hands. + +“Bendel,” at last I tremblingly resumed, “you have now my confidence; you +may betray me—go—bear witness against me!” + +He seemed to be agitated with conflicting feelings; at last he threw +himself at my feet and seized my hand, which he bathed with his tears. +“No,” he exclaimed; “whatever the world may say, I neither can nor will +forsake my excellent master because he has lost his shadow. I will +rather do what is right than what may seem prudent. I will remain with +you—I will shade you with my own shadow—I will assist you when I can—and +when I cannot, I will weep with you.” + +I fell upon his neck, astonished at sentiments so unusual; for it was +very evident that he was not prompted by the love of money. + +My mode of life and my fate now became somewhat different. It is +incredible with what provident foresight Bendel contrived to conceal my +deficiency. Everywhere he was before me and with me, providing against +every contingency, and in cases of unlooked-for danger, flying to shield +me with his own shadow, for he was taller and stouter than myself. Thus +I once more ventured among mankind, and began to take a part in worldly +affairs. I was compelled, indeed, to affect certain peculiarities and +whims; but in a rich man they seem only appropriate; and so long as the +truth was kept concealed I enjoyed all the honour and respect which gold +could procure. + +I now looked forward with more composure to the promised visit of the +mysterious unknown at the expiration of the year and a day. + +I was very sensible that I could not venture to remain long in a place +where I had once been seen without a shadow, and where I might easily be +betrayed; and perhaps, too, I recollected my first introduction to Mr. +John, and this was by no means a pleasing reminiscence. However, I +wished just to make a trial here, that I might with greater ease and +security visit some other place. But my vanity for some time withheld +me, for it is in this quality of our race that the anchor takes the +firmest hold. + +Even the lovely Fanny, whom I again met in several places, without her +seeming to recollect that she had ever seen me before, bestowed some +notice on me; for wit and understanding were mine in abundance now. When +I spoke, I was listened to; and I was at a loss to know how I had so +easily acquired the art of commanding attention, and giving the tone to +the conversation. + +The impression which I perceived I had made upon this fair one completely +turned my brain; and this was just what she wished. After that, I +pursued her with infinite pains through every obstacle. My vanity was +only intent on exciting hers to make a conquest of me; but although the +intoxication disturbed my head, it failed to make the least impression on +my heart. + +But why detail to you the oft-repeated story which I have so often heard +from yourself? + +However, in the old and well-known drama in which I played so worn-out a +part a catastrophe occurred of quite a peculiar nature, in a manner +equally unexpected to her, to me, and to everybody. + +One beautiful evening I had, according to my usual custom, assembled a +party in a garden, and was walking arm-in-arm with Fanny at a little +distance from the rest of the company, and pouring into her ear the usual +well-turned phrases, while she was demurely gazing on vacancy, and now +and then gently returning the pressure of my hand. The moon suddenly +emerged from behind a cloud at our back. Fanny perceived only her own +shadow before us. She started, looked at me with terror, and then again +on the ground, in search of my shadow. All that was passing in her mind +was so strangely depicted in her countenance, that I should have burst +into a loud fit of laughter had I not suddenly felt my blood run cold +within me. I suffered her to fall from my arm in a fainting-fit; shot +with the rapidity of an arrow through the astonished guests, reached the +gate, threw myself into the first conveyance I met with, and returned to +the town, where this time, unfortunately, I had left the wary Bendel. He +was alarmed on seeing me: one word explained all. Post-horses were +immediately procured. I took with me none of my servants, one cunning +knave only excepted, called Rascal, who had by his adroitness become very +serviceable to me, and who at present knew nothing of what had occurred—I +travelled thirty leagues that night; having left Bendel behind to +discharge my servants, pay my debts, and bring me all that was necessary. + +When he came up with me next day, I threw myself into his arms, vowing to +avoid such follies and to be more careful for the future. + +We pursued our journey uninterruptedly over the frontiers and mountains; +and it was not until I had placed this lofty barrier between myself and +the before-mentioned unlucky town that I was persuaded to recruit myself +after my fatigues in a neighbouring and little-frequented watering-place. + + * * * * * + +I must now pass rapidly over one period of my history, on which how +gladly would I dwell, could I conjure up your lively powers of +delineation! But the vivid hues which are at your command, and which +alone can give life and animation to the picture, have left no trace +within me; and were I now to endeavour to recall the joys, the griefs, +the pure and enchanting emotions, which once held such powerful dominion +in my breast, it would be like striking a rock which yields no longer the +living spring, and whose spirit has fled for ever. With what an altered +aspect do those bygone days now present themselves to my gaze! + +In this watering-place I acted an heroic character, badly studied; and +being a novice on such a stage, I forgot my part before a pair of lovely +blue eyes. + +All possible means were used by the infatuated parents to conclude the +bargain; and deception put an end to these usual artifices. And that is +all—all. + +The powerful emotions which once swelled my bosom seem now in the +retrospect to be poor and insipid, nay, even terrible to me. + +Alas, Minna! as I wept for thee the day I lost thee, so do I now weep +that I can no longer retrace thine image in my soul. + +Am I, then, so far advanced into the vale of years? O fatal effects of +maturity! would that I could feel one throb, one emotion of former days +of enchantment—alas, not one! a solitary being, tossed on the wild ocean +of life—it is long since I drained thine enchanted cup to the dregs! + +But to return to my narrative. I had sent Bendel to the little town with +plenty of money to procure me a suitable habitation. He spent my gold +profusely; and as he expressed himself rather reservedly concerning his +distinguished master (for I did not wish to be named), the good people +began to form rather extraordinary conjectures. + +As soon as my house was ready for my reception, Bendel returned to +conduct me to it. We set out on our journey. About a league from the +town, on a sunny plain, we were stopped by a crowd of people, arrayed in +holiday attire for some festival. The carriage stopped. Music, bells, +cannons, were heard; and loud acclamations rang through the air. + +Before the carriage now appeared in white dresses a chorus of maidens, +all of extraordinary beauty; but one of them shone in resplendent +loveliness, and eclipsed the rest as the sun eclipses the stars of night. +She advanced from the midst of her companions, and, with a lofty yet +winning air, blushingly knelt before me, presenting on a silken cushion a +wreath, composed of laurel branches, the olive, and the rose, saying +something respecting majesty, love, honour, &c., which I could not +comprehend; but the sweet and silvery magic of her tones intoxicated my +senses and my whole soul: it seemed as if some heavenly apparition were +hovering over me. The chorus now began to sing the praises of a good +sovereign, and the happiness of his subjects. All this, dear Chamisso, +took place in the sun: she was kneeling two steps from me, and I, without +a shadow, could not dart through the air, nor fall on my knees before the +angelic being. Oh, what would I not now have given for a shadow! To +conceal my shame, agony, and despair, I buried myself in the recesses of +the carriage. Bendel at last thought of an expedient; he jumped out of +the carriage. I called him back, and gave him out of the casket I had by +me a rich diamond coronet, which had been intended for the lovely Fanny. + +He stepped forward, and spoke in the name of his master, who, he said, +was overwhelmed by so many demonstrations of respect, which he really +could not accept as an honour—there must be some error; nevertheless he +begged to express his thanks for the goodwill of the worthy townspeople. +In the meantime Bendel had taken the wreath from the cushion, and laid +the brilliant crown in its place. He then respectfully raised the lovely +girl from the ground; and, at one sign, the clergy, magistrates, and all +the deputations withdrew. The crowd separated to allow the horses to +pass, and we pursued our way to the town at full gallop, through arches +ornamented with flowers and branches of laurel. Salvos of artillery +again were heard. The carriage stopped at my gate; I hastened through +the crowd which curiosity had attracted to witness my arrival. +Enthusiastic shouts resounded under my windows, from whence I showered +gold amidst the people; and in the evening the whole town was +illuminated. Still all remained a mystery to me, and I could not imagine +for whom I had been taken. I sent Rascal out to make inquiry; and he +soon obtained intelligence that the good King of Prussia was travelling +through the country under the name of some count; that my _aide-de-camp_ +had been recognised, and that he had divulged the secret; that on +acquiring the certainty that I would enter their town, their joy had +known no bounds: however, as they perceived I was determined on +preserving the strictest _incognito_, they felt how wrong they had been +in too importunately seeking to withdraw the veil; but I had received +them so condescendingly and so graciously, that they were sure I would +forgive them. The whole affair was such capital amusement to the +unprincipled Rascal, that he did his best to confirm the good people in +their belief, while affecting to reprove them. He gave me a very comical +account of the matter; and, seeing that I was amused by it, actually +endeavoured to make a merit of his impudence. + +Shall I own the truth? My vanity was flattered by having been mistaken +for our revered sovereign. I ordered a banquet to be got ready for the +following evening, under the trees before my house, and invited the whole +town. The mysterious power of my purse, Bendel’s exertions, and Rascal’s +ready invention, made the shortness of the time seem as nothing. + +It was really astonishing how magnificently and beautifully everything +was arranged in these few hours. Splendour and abundance vied with each +other, and the lights were so carefully arranged that I felt quite safe: +the zeal of my servants met every exigency and merited all praise. + +Evening drew on, the guests arrived, and were presented to me. The word +_majesty_ was now dropped; but, with the deepest respect and humility, I +was addressed as the _count_. What could I do? I accepted the title, +and from that moment I was known as Count Peter. In the midst of all +this festivity my soul pined for one individual. She came late—she who +was the empress of the scene, and wore the emblem of sovereignty on her +brow. + +She modestly accompanied her parents, and seemed unconscious of her +transcendent beauty. + +The Ranger of the Forests, his wife, and daughter, were presented to me. +I was at no loss to make myself agreeable to the parents; but before the +daughter I stood like a well-scolded schoolboy, incapable of speaking a +single word. + +At length I hesitatingly entreated her to honour my banquet by presiding +at it—an office for which her rare endowments pointed her out as +admirably fitted. With a blush and an expressive glance she entreated to +be excused; but, in still greater confusion than herself, I respectfully +begged her to accept the homage of the first and most devoted of her +subjects, and one glance of the count was the same as a command to the +guests, who all vied with each other in acting up to the spirit of the +noble host. + +In her person majesty, innocence, and grace, in union with beauty, +presided over this joyous banquet. Minna’s happy parents were elated by +the honours conferred upon their child. As for me, I abandoned myself to +all the intoxication of delight: I sent for all the jewels, pearls, and +precious stones still left to me—the produce of my fatal wealth—and, +filling two vases, I placed them on the table, in the name of the Queen +of the banquet, to be divided among her companions and the remainder of +the ladies. + +I ordered gold in the meantime to be showered down without ceasing among +the happy multitude. + +Next morning Bendel told me in confidence that the suspicions he had long +entertained of Rascal’s honesty were now reduced to a certainty; he had +yesterday embezzled many bags of gold. + +“Never mind,” said I; “let him enjoy his paltry booty. I like to spend +it; why should not he? Yesterday he, and all the newly-engaged servants +whom you had hired, served me honourably, and cheerfully assisted me to +enjoy the banquet.” + +No more was said on the subject. Rascal remained at the head of my +domestics. Bendel was my friend and confidant; he had by this time +become accustomed to look upon my wealth as inexhaustible, without +seeking to inquire into its source. He entered into all my schemes, and +effectually assisted me in devising methods of spending my money. + +Of the pale, sneaking scoundrel—the unknown—Bendel only knew thus much, +that he alone had power to release me from the curse which weighed so +heavily on me, and yet that I stood in awe of him on whom all my hopes +rested. Besides, I felt convinced that he had the means of discovering +_me_ under any circumstances, while he himself remained concealed. I +therefore abandoned my fruitless inquiries, and patiently awaited the +appointed day. + +The magnificence of my banquet, and my deportment on the occasion, had +but strengthened the credulous townspeople in their previous belief. + +It appeared soon after, from accounts in the newspapers, that the whole +history of the King of Prussia’s fictitious journey originated in mere +idle report. But a king I was, and a king I must remain by all means; +and one of the richest and most royal, although people were at a loss to +know where my territories lay. + +The world has never had reason to lament the scarcity of monarchs, +particularly in these days; and the good people, who had never yet seen a +king, now fancied me to be first one, and then another, with equal +success; and in the meanwhile I remained as before, Count Peter. + +Among the visitors at this watering-place a merchant made his appearance, +one who had become a bankrupt in order to enrich himself. He enjoyed the +general good opinion; for he projected a shadow of respectable size, +though of somewhat faint hue. + +This man wished to show off in this place by means of his wealth, and +sought to rival me. My purse soon enabled me to leave the poor devil far +behind. To save his credit he became bankrupt again, and fled beyond the +mountains; and thus I was rid of him. Many a one in this place was +reduced to beggary and ruin through my means. + +In the midst of the really princely magnificence and profusion, which +carried all before me, my own style of living was very simple and +retired. I had made it a point to observe the strictest precaution; and, +with the exception of Bendel, no one was permitted, on any pretence +whatever, to enter my private apartment. As long as the sun shone I +remained shut up with him; and the Count was then said to be deeply +occupied in his closet. The numerous couriers, whom I kept in constant +attendance about matters of no importance, were supposed to be the +bearers of my despatches. I only received company in the evening under +the trees of my garden, or in my saloons, after Bendel’s assurance of +their being carefully and brilliantly lit up. + +My walks, in which the Argus-eyed Bendel was constantly on the watch for +me, extended only to the garden of the forest-ranger, to enjoy the +society of one who was dear to me as my own existence. + +Oh, my Chamisso! I trust thou hast not forgotten what love is! I must +here leave much to thine imagination. Minna was in truth an amiable and +excellent maiden: her whole soul was wrapped up in me, and in her lowly +thoughts of herself she could not imagine how she had deserved a single +thought from me. She returned love for love with all the full and +youthful fervour of an innocent heart; her love was a true woman’s love, +with all the devotion and total absence of selfishness which is found +only in woman; she lived but in me, her whole soul being bound up in +mine, regardless what her own fate might be. + +Yet I, alas, during those hours of wretchedness—hours I would even now +gladly recall—how often have I wept on Bendel’s bosom, when after the +first mad whirlwind of passion I reflected, with the keenest +self-upbraidings, that I, a shadowless man, had, with cruel selfishness, +practised a wicked deception, and stolen away the pure and angelic heart +of the innocent Minna! + +At one moment I resolved to confess all to her; then that I would fly for +ever; then I broke out into a flood of bitter tears, and consulted Bendel +as to the means of meeting her again in the forester’s garden. + +At times I flattered myself with great hopes from the near approaching +visit of the unknown; then wept again, because I saw clearly on +reflection that they would end in disappointment. I had made a +calculation of the day fixed on by the fearful being for our interview; +for he had said in a year and a day, and I depended on his word. + +The parents were worthy old people, devoted to their only child; and our +mutual affection was a circumstance so overwhelming that they knew not +how to act. They had never dreamed for a moment that the _Count_ could +bestow a thought on their daughter; but such was the case—he loved and +was beloved. The pride of the mother might not have led her to consider +such an alliance quite impossible, but so extravagant an idea had never +entered the contemplation of the sounder judgment of the old man. Both +were satisfied of the sincerity of my love, and could but put up prayers +to Heaven for the happiness of their child. + +A letter which I received from Minna about that time has just fallen into +my hands. Yes, these are the characters traced by her own hand. I will +transcribe the letter:— + +“I am indeed a weak, foolish girl to fancy that the friend I so tenderly +love could give an instant’s pain to his poor Minna! Oh no! thou art so +good, so inexpressibly good! But do not misunderstand me. I will accept +no sacrifice at thy hands—none whatever. Oh heavens! I should hate +myself! No; thou hast made me happy, thou hast taught me to love thee. + +“Go, then—let me not forget my destiny—Count Peter belongs not to me, but +to the whole world; and oh! what pride for thy Minna to hear thy deeds +proclaimed, and blessings invoked on thy idolised head! Ah! when I think +of this, I could chide thee that thou shouldst for one instant forget thy +high destiny for the sake of a simple maiden! Go, then; otherwise the +reflection will pierce me. How blest I have been rendered by thy love! +Perhaps, also, I have planted some flowers in the path of thy life, as I +twined them in the wreath which I presented to thee. + +“Go, then—fear not to leave me—you are too deeply seated in my heart—I +shall die inexpressibly happy in thy love.” + +Conceive how these words pierced my soul, Chamisso! + +I declared to her that I was not what I seemed—that, although a rich, I +was an unspeakably miserable man—that a curse was on me, which must +remain a secret, although the only one between us—yet that I was not +without a hope of its being removed—that this poisoned every hour of my +life—that I should plunge her with me into the abyss—she, the light and +joy, the very soul of my existence. Then she wept because I was unhappy. +Oh! Minna was all love and tenderness. To save me one tear she would +gladly have sacrificed her life. + +Yet she was far from comprehending the full meaning of my words. She +still looked upon me as some proscribed prince or illustrious exile; and +her vivid imagination had invested her lover with every lofty attribute. + +One day I said to her, “Minna, the last day in next month will decide my +fate, and perhaps change it for the better; if not, I would sooner die +than render you miserable.” + +She laid her head on my shoulder to conceal her tears. “Should thy fate +be changed,” she said, “I only wish to know that thou art happy; if thy +condition is an unhappy one, I will share it with thee, and assist thee +to support it.” + +“Minna, Minna!” I exclaimed, “recall those rash words—those mad words +which have escaped thy lips! Didst thou know the misery and curse—didst +thou know who—what—thy lover—Seest thou not, my Minna, this convulsive +shuddering which thrills my whole frame, and that there is a secret in my +breast which you cannot penetrate?” She sank sobbing at my feet, and +renewed her vows and entreaties. + +Her father now entered, and I declared to him my intention to solicit the +hand of his daughter on the first day of the month after the ensuing one. +I fixed that time, I told him, because circumstances might probably occur +in the interval materially to influence my future destiny; but my love +for his daughter was unchangeable. + +The good old man started at hearing such words from the mouth of Count +Peter. He fell upon my neck, and rose again in the utmost confusion for +having forgotten himself. Then he began to doubt, to ponder, and to +scrutinise; and spoke of dowry, security, and future provision for his +beloved child. I thanked him for having reminded me of all this, and +told him it was my wish to remain in a country where I seemed to be +beloved, and to lead a life free from anxiety. I then commissioned him +to purchase the finest estate in the neighbourhood in the name of his +daughter—for a father was the best person to act for his daughter in such +a case—and to refer for payment to me. This occasioned him a good deal +of trouble, as a stranger had everywhere anticipated him; but at last he +made a purchase for about £150,000. + +I confess this was but an innocent artifice to get rid of him, as I had +frequently done before; for it must be confessed that he was somewhat +tedious. The good mother was rather deaf, and not jealous, like her +husband, of the honour of conversing with the Count. + +The happy party pressed me to remain with them longer this evening. I +dared not—I had not a moment to lose. I saw the rising moon streaking +the horizon—my hour was come. + +Next evening I went again to the forester’s garden. I had wrapped myself +closely up in my cloak, slouched my hat over my eyes, and advanced +towards Minna. As she raised her head and looked at me, she started +involuntarily. The apparition of that dreadful night in which I had been +seen without a shadow was now standing distinctly before me—it was she +herself. Had she recognised me? She was silent and thoughtful. I felt +an oppressive load at my heart. I rose from my seat. She laid her head +on my shoulder, still silent and in tears. I went away. + +I now found her frequently weeping. I became more and more melancholy. +Her parents were beyond expression happy. The eventful day approached, +threatening and heavy, like a thundercloud. The evening preceding +arrived. I could scarcely breathe. I had carefully filled a large chest +with gold, and sat down to await the appointed time—the twelfth hour—it +struck. + +Now I remained with my eyes fixed on the hand of the clock, counting the +seconds—the minutes—which struck me to the heart like daggers. I started +at every sound—at last daylight appeared. The leaden hours passed +on—morning—evening—night came. Hope was fast fading away as the hand +advanced. It struck eleven—no one appeared—the last minutes—the first +and last stroke of the twelfth hour died away. I sank back in my bed in +an agony of weeping. In the morning I should, shadowless as I was, claim +the hand of my beloved Minna. A heavy sleep towards daylight closed my +eyes. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +IT was yet early, when I was suddenly awoke by voices in hot dispute in +my antechamber. I listened. Bendel was forbidding Rascal to enter my +room, who swore he would receive no orders from his equals, and insisted +on forcing his way. The faithful Bendel reminded him that if such words +reached his master’s ears, he would turn him out of an excellent place. +Rascal threatened to strike him if he persisted in refusing his entrance. + +By this time, having half dressed myself, I angrily threw open the door, +and addressing myself to Rascal, inquired what he meant by such +disgraceful conduct. He drew back a couple of steps, and coolly +answered, “Count Peter, may I beg most respectfully that you will favour +me with a sight of your shadow? The sun is now shining brightly in the +court below.” + +I stood as if struck by a thunderbolt, and for some time was unable to +speak. At last, I asked him how a servant could dare to behave so +towards his master. He interrupted me by saying, quite coolly, “A +servant may be a very honourable man, and unwilling to serve a shadowless +master—I request my dismissal.” + +I felt that I must adopt a softer tone, and replied, “But, Rascal, my +good fellow, who can have put such strange ideas into your head? How can +you imagine—” + +He again interrupted me in the same tone—“People say you have no shadow. +In short, let me see your shadow, or give me my dismissal.” + +Bendel, pale and trembling, but more collected than myself, made a sign +to me. I had recourse to the all-powerful influence of gold. But even +gold had lost its power—Rascal threw it at my feet: “From a shadowless +man,” he said, “I will take nothing.” + +Turning his back upon me, and putting on his hat, he then slowly left the +room, whistling a tune. I stood, with Bendel, as if petrified, gazing +after him. + +With a deep sigh and a heavy heart I now prepared to keep my engagement, +and to appear in the forester’s garden like a criminal before his judge. +I entered by the shady arbour, which had received the name of Count +Peter’s arbour, where we had appointed to meet. The mother advanced with +a cheerful air; Minna sat fair and beautiful as the early snow of autumn +reposing on the departing flowers, soon to be dissolved and lost in the +cold stream. + +The ranger, with a written paper in his hand, was walking up and down in +an agitated manner, and struggling to suppress his feelings—his usually +unmoved countenance being one moment flushed, and the next perfectly +pale. He came forward as I entered, and, in a faltering voice, requested +a private conversation with me. The path by which he requested me to +follow him led to an open spot in the garden, where the sun was shining. +I sat down. A long silence ensued, which even the good woman herself did +not venture to break. The ranger, in an agitated manner, paced up and +down with unequal steps. At last he stood still; and glancing over the +paper he held in his hand, he said, addressing me with a penetrating +look, “Count Peter, do you know one Peter Schlemihl?” I was silent. + +“A man,” he continued, “of excellent character and extraordinary +endowments.” + +He paused for an answer.—“And supposing I myself were that very man?” + +“You!” he exclaimed, passionately; “he has lost his shadow!” + +“Oh, my suspicion is true!” cried Minna; “I have long known it—he has no +shadow!” And she threw herself into her mother’s arms, who, convulsively +clasping her to her bosom, reproached her for having so long, to her +hurt, kept such a secret. But, like the fabled Arethusa, her tears, as +from a fountain, flowed more abundantly, and her sobs increased at my +approach. + +“And so,” said the ranger fiercely, “you have not scrupled, with +unparalleled shamelessness, to deceive both her and me; and you pretended +to love her, forsooth—her whom you have reduced to the state in which you +now see her. See how she weeps!—Oh, shocking, shocking!” + +By this time I had lost all presence of mind; and I answered, confusedly, +“After all, it is but a shadow, a mere shadow, which a man can do very +well without; and really it is not worth the while to make all this noise +about such a trifle.” Feeling the groundlessness of what I was saying, I +ceased, and no one condescended to reply. At last I added, “What is lost +to-day may be found to-morrow.” + +“Be pleased, sir,” continued the ranger, in great wrath—“be pleased to +explain how you have lost your shadow.” + +Here again an excuse was ready: “A boor of a fellow,” said I, “one day +trod so rudely on my shadow that he tore a large hole in it. I sent it +to be repaired—for gold can do wonders—and yesterday I expected it home +again.” + +“Very well,” answered the ranger. “You are a suitor for my daughter’s +hand, and so are others. As a father, I am bound to provide for her. I +will give you three days to seek your shadow. Return to me in the course +of that time with a well-fitted shadow, and you shall receive a hearty +welcome; otherwise, on the fourth day—remember, on the fourth day—my +daughter becomes the wife of another.” + +I now attempted to say one word to Minna; but, sobbing more violently, +she clung still closer to her mother, who made a sign for me to withdraw. +I obeyed; and now the world seemed shut out from me for ever. + +Having escaped from the affectionate care of Bendel, I now wandered +wildly through the neighbouring woods and meadows. Drops of anguish fell +from my brow, deep groans burst from my bosom—frenzied despair raged +within me. + +I knew not how long this had lasted, when I felt myself seized by the +sleeve on a sunny heath. I stopped, and looking up, beheld the +grey-coated man, who appeared to have run himself out of breath in +pursuing me. He immediately began: + +“I had,” said he, “appointed this day; but your impatience anticipated +it. All, however, may yet be right. Take my advice—redeem your shadow, +which is at your command, and return immediately to the ranger’s garden, +where you will be well received, and all the past will seem a mere joke. +As for Rascal—who has betrayed you in order to pay his addresses to +Minna—leave him to me; he is just a fit subject for me.” + +I stood like one in a dream. “This day?” I considered again. He was +right—I had made a mistake of a day. I felt in my bosom for the purse. +He perceived my intention, and drew back. + +“No, Count Peter; the purse is in good hands—pray keep it.” I gazed at +him with looks of astonishment and inquiry. “I only beg a trifle as a +token of remembrance. Be so good as to sign this memorandum.” On the +parchment, which he held out to me, were these words:—“By virtue of this +present, to which I have appended my signature, I hereby bequeath my soul +to the holder, after its natural separation from my body.” + +I gazed in mute astonishment alternately at the paper and the grey +unknown. In the meantime he had dipped a new pen in a drop of blood +which was issuing from a scratch in my hand just made by a thorn. He +presented it to me. “Who are you?” at last I exclaimed. “What can it +signify?” he answered; “do you not perceive who I am? A poor devil—a +sort of scholar and philosopher, who obtains but poor thanks from his +friends for his admirable arts, and whose only amusement on earth +consists in his small experiments. But just sign this; to the right, +exactly underneath—Peter Schlemihl.” + +I shook my head, and replied, “Excuse me, sir; I cannot sign that.” + +“Cannot!” he exclaimed; “and why not?” + +“Because it appears to me a hazardous thing to exchange my soul for my +shadow.” + +“Hazardous!” he exclaimed, bursting into a loud laugh. “And, pray, may I +be allowed to inquire what sort of a thing your soul is?—have you ever +seen it?—and what do you mean to do with it after your death? You ought +to think yourself fortunate in meeting with a customer who, during your +life, in exchange for this infinitely-minute quantity, this galvanic +principle, this polarised agency, or whatever other foolish name you may +give it, is willing to bestow on you something substantial—in a word, +your own identical shadow, by virtue of which you will obtain your +beloved Minna, and arrive at the accomplishment of all your wishes; or do +you prefer giving up the poor young girl to the power of that +contemptible scoundrel Rascal? Nay, you shall behold her with your own +eyes. Come here; I will lend you an invisible cap (he drew something out +of his pocket), and we will enter the ranger’s garden unseen.” + +I must confess that I felt excessively ashamed to be thus laughed at by +the grey stranger. I detested him from the very bottom of my soul; and I +really believe this personal antipathy, more than principle or +previously-formed opinion, restrained me from purchasing my shadow, much +as I stood in need of it, at such an expense. Besides, the thought was +insupportable, of making this proposed visit in his society. To behold +this hateful sneak, this mocking fiend, place himself between me and my +beloved, between our torn and bleeding hearts, was too revolting an idea +to be entertained for a moment. I considered the past as irrevocable, my +own misery as inevitable; and turning to the grey man, I said, “I have +exchanged my shadow for this very extraordinary purse, and I have +sufficiently repented it. For Heaven’s sake, let the transaction be +declared null and void!” He shook his head; and his countenance assumed +an expression of the most sinister cast. I continued, “I will make no +exchange whatever, even for the sake of my shadow, nor will I sign the +paper. It follows, also, that the incognito visit you propose to me +would afford you far more entertainment than it could possibly give me. +Accept my excuses, therefore; and, since it must be so, let us part.” + +“I am sorry, Mr. Schlemihl, that you thus obstinately persist in +rejecting my friendly offer. Perhaps, another time, I may be more +fortunate. Farewell! May we shortly meet again! But, _à propos_, allow +me to show you that I do not undervalue my purchase, but preserve it +carefully.” + +So saying, he drew my shadow out of his pocket; and shaking it cleverly +out of its folds, he stretched it out at his feet in the sun—so that he +stood between two obedient shadows, his own and mine, which was compelled +to follow and comply with his every movement. + +On again beholding my poor shadow after so long a separation, and seeing +it degraded to so vile a bondage at the very time that I was so +unspeakably in want of it, my heart was ready to burst, and I wept +bitterly. The detested wretch stood exulting over his prey, and +unblushingly renewed his proposal. “One stroke of your pen, and the +unhappy Minna is rescued from the clutches of the villain Rascal, and +transferred to the arms of the high-born Count Peter—merely a stroke of +your pen!” + +My tears broke out with renewed violence; but I turned away from him, and +made a sign for him to be gone. + +Bendel, whose deep solicitude had induced him to come in search of me, +arrived at this very moment. The good and faithful creature, on seeing +me weeping, and that a shadow (evidently mine) was in the power of the +mysterious unknown, determined to rescue it by force, should that be +necessary; and disdaining to use any finesse, he desired him directly, +and without any disputing, to restore my property. Instead of a reply, +the grey man turned his back on the worthy fellow, and was making off. +But Bendel raised his buck-thorn stick; and following close upon him, +after repeated commands, but in vain, to restore the shadow, he made him +feel the whole force of his powerful arm. The grey man, as if accustomed +to such treatment, held down his head, slouched his shoulders, and, with +soft and noiseless steps, pursued his way over the heath, carrying with +him my shadow, and also my faithful servant. For a long time I heard +hollow sounds ringing through the waste, until at last they died away in +the distance, and I was again left to solitude and misery. + + * * * * * + +Alone on the wild heath, I disburdened my heart of an insupportable load +by giving free vent to my tears. But I saw no bounds, no relief, to my +surpassing wretchedness; and I drank in the fresh poison which the +mysterious stranger had poured into my wounds with a furious avidity. As +I retraced in my mind the loved image of my Minna, and depicted her sweet +countenance all pale and in tears, such as I had beheld her in my late +disgrace, the bold and sarcastic visage of Rascal would ever and anon +thrust itself between us. I hid my face, and fled rapidly over the +plains; but the horrible vision unrelentingly pursued me, till at last I +sank breathless on the ground, and bedewed it with a fresh torrent of +tears—and all this for a shadow!—a shadow which one stroke of the pen +would repurchase. I pondered on the singular proposal, and on my +hesitation to comply with it. My mind was confused—I had lost the power +of judging or comprehending. The day was waning apace. I satisfied the +cravings of hunger with a few wild fruits, and quenched my thirst at a +neighbouring stream. Night came on; I threw myself down under a tree, +and was awoke by the damp morning air from an uneasy sleep, in which I +had fancied myself struggling in the agonies of death. Bendel had +certainly lost all trace of me, and I was glad of it. I did not wish to +return among my fellow-creatures—I shunned them as the hunted deer flies +before its pursuers. Thus I passed three melancholy days. + +I found myself on the morning of the fourth on a sandy plain, basking in +the rays of the sun, and sitting on a fragment of rock; for it was sweet +to enjoy the genial warmth of which I had so long been deprived. Despair +still preyed on my heart. Suddenly a slight sound startled me; I looked +round, prepared to fly, but saw no one. On the sunlit sand before me +flitted the shadow of a man not unlike my own; and wandering about alone, +it seemed to have lost its master. This sight powerfully excited me. +“Shadow!” thought I, “art thou in search of thy master? in me thou shalt +find him.” And I sprang forward to seize it, fancying that could I +succeed in treading so exactly in its traces as to step in its footmarks, +it would attach itself to me, and in time become accustomed to me, and +follow all my movements. + +The shadow, as I moved, took to flight, and I commenced a hot chase after +the airy fugitive, solely excited by the hope of being delivered from my +present dreadful situation; the bare idea inspired me with fresh strength +and vigour. + +The shadow now fled towards a distant wood, among whose shades I must +necessarily have lost it. Seeing this, my heart beat wild with fright, +my ardour increased and lent wings to my speed. I was evidently gaining +on the shadow—I came nearer and nearer—I was within reach of it, when it +suddenly stopped and turned towards me. Like a lion darting on its prey, +I made a powerful spring and fell unexpectedly upon a hard substance. +Then followed, from an invisible hand, the most terrible blows in the +ribs that anyone ever received. The effect of my terror made me +endeavour convulsively to strike and grasp at the unseen object before +me. The rapidity of my motions brought me to the ground, where I lay +stretched out with a man under me, whom I held tight, and who now became +visible. + +The whole affair was now explained. The man had undoubtedly possessed +the bird’s nest which communicates its charm of invisibility to its +possessor, though not equally so to his shadow; and this nest he had now +thrown away. I looked all round, and soon discovered the shadow of this +invisible nest. I sprang towards it, and was fortunate enough to seize +the precious booty, and immediately became invisible and shadowless. + +The moment the man regained his feet he looked all round over the wide +sunny plain to discover his fortunate vanquisher, but could see neither +him nor his shadow, the latter seeming particularly to be the object of +his search: for previous to our encounter he had not had leisure to +observe that I was shadowless, and he could not be aware of it. Becoming +convinced that all traces of me were lost, he began to tear his hair, and +give himself up to all the frenzy of despair. In the meantime, this +newly acquired treasure communicated to me both the ability and the +desire to mix again among mankind. + +I was at a loss for a pretext to vindicate this unjust robbery—or, +rather, so deadened had I become, I felt no need of a pretext; and in +order to dissipate every idea of the kind, I hastened on, regardless of +the unhappy man, whose fearful lamentations long resounded in my ears. +Such, at the time, were my impressions of all the circumstances of this +affair. + +I now ardently desired to return to the ranger’s garden, in order to +ascertain in person the truth of the information communicated by the +odious unknown; but I knew not where I was, until, ascending an eminence +to take a survey of the surrounding country, I perceived, from its +summit, the little town and the gardens almost at my feet. My heart beat +violently, and tears of a nature very different from those I had lately +shed filled my eyes. I should, then, once more behold her! + +Anxiety now hastened my steps. Unseen I met some peasants coming from +the town; they were talking of me, of Rascal, and of the ranger. I would +not stay to listen to their conversation, but proceeded on. My bosom +thrilled with expectation as I entered the garden. At this moment I +heard something like a hollow laugh which caused me involuntarily to +shudder. I cast a rapid glance around, but could see no one. I passed +on; presently I fancied I heard the sound of footsteps close to me, but +no one was within sight. My ears must have deceived me. + +It was early; no one was in Count Peter’s bower—the gardens were +deserted. I traversed all the well-known paths, and penetrated even to +the dwelling-house itself. The same rustling sound became now more and +more audible. With anguished feelings I sat down on a seat placed in the +sunny space before the door, and actually felt some invisible fiend take +a place by me, and heard him utter a sarcastic laugh. The key was turned +in the door, which was opened. The forest-master appeared with a paper +in his hand. Suddenly my head was, as it were, enveloped in a mist. I +looked up, and, oh horror! the grey-coated man was at my side, peering in +my face with a satanic grin. He had extended the mist-cap he wore over +my head. His shadow and my own were lying together at his feet in +perfect amity. He kept twirling in his hand the well-known parchment +with an air of indifference; and while the ranger, absorbed in thought, +and intent upon his paper, paced up and down the arbour, my tormentor +confidentially leaned towards me, and whispered, “So, Mr. Schlemihl, you +have at length accepted my invitation; and here we sit, two heads under +one hood, as the saying is. Well, well, all in good time. But now you +can return me my bird’s nest—you have no further occasion for it; and I +am sure you are too honourable a man to withhold it from me. No need of +thanks, I assure you; I had infinite pleasure in lending it to you.” He +took it out of my unresisting hand, put it into his pocket, and then +broke into so loud a laugh at my expense, that the forest-master turned +round, startled at the sound. I was petrified. “You must acknowledge,” +he continued, “that in our position a hood is much more convenient. It +serves to conceal not only a man, but his shadow, or as many shadows as +he chooses to carry. I, for instance, to-day bring two, you perceive.” +He laughed again. “Take notice, Schlemihl, that what a man refuses to do +with a good grace in the first instance, he is always in the end +compelled to do. I am still of opinion that you ought to redeem your +shadow and claim your bride (for it is yet time); and as to Rascal, he +shall dangle at a rope’s end—no difficult matter, so long as we can find +a bit. As a mark of friendship I will give you my cap into the bargain.” + +The mother now came out, and the following conversation took place: “What +is Minna doing?” “She is weeping.” “Silly child! what good can that +do?” “None, certainly; but it is so soon to bestow her hand on another. +O husband, you are too harsh to your poor child.” “No, wife; you view +things in a wrong light. When she finds herself the wife of a wealthy +and honourable man, her tears will soon cease; she will waken out of a +dream, as it were, happy and grateful to Heaven and to her parents, as +you will see.” “Heaven grant it may be so!” replied the wife. “She has, +indeed, now considerable property; but after the noise occasioned by her +unlucky affair with that adventurer, do you imagine that she is likely +soon to meet with so advantageous a match as Mr. Rascal? Do you know the +extent of Mr. Rascal’s influence and wealth? Why, he has purchased with +ready money, in this country, six millions of landed property, free from +all encumbrances. I have had all the documents in my hands. It was he +who outbid me everywhere when I was about to make a desirable purchase; +and, besides, he has bills on Mr. Thomas John’s house to the amount of +three millions and a half.” “He must have been a prodigious thief!” +“How foolishly you talk! he wisely saved where others squandered their +property.” “A mere livery-servant!” “Nonsense! he has at all events an +unexceptionable shadow.” “True, but . . . ” + +While this conversation was passing, the grey-coated man looked at me +with a satirical smile. + +The door opened, and Minna entered, leaning on the arm of her female +attendant, silent tears flowing down her fair but pallid face. She +seated herself in the chair which had been placed for her under the +lime-trees, and her father took a stool by her side. He gently raised +her hand; and as her tears flowed afresh, he addressed her in the most +affectionate manner:— + +“My own dear, good child—my Minna—will act reasonably, and not afflict +her poor old father, who only wishes to make her happy. My dearest +child, this blow has shaken you—dreadfully, I know it; but you have been +saved, as by a miracle, from a miserable fate, my Minna. You loved the +unworthy villain most tenderly before his treachery was discovered: I +feel all this, Minna; and far be it from me to reproach you for it—in +fact, I myself loved him so long as I considered him to be a person of +rank: you now see yourself how differently it has turned out. Every dog +has a shadow; and the idea of my child having been on the eve of uniting +herself to a man who . . . but I am sure you will think no more of him. +A suitor has just appeared for you in the person of a man who does not +fear the sun—an honourable man—no prince indeed, but a man worth ten +millions of golden ducats sterling—a sum nearly ten times larger than +your fortune consists of—a man, too, who will make my dear child +happy—nay, do not oppose me—be my own good, dutiful child—allow your +loving father to provide for you, and to dry up these tears. Promise to +bestow your hand on Mr. Rascal. Speak my child: will you not?” + +Minna could scarcely summon strength to reply that she had now no longer +any hopes or desires on earth, and that she was entirely at her father’s +disposal. Rascal was therefore immediately sent for, and entered the +room with his usual forwardness; but Minima in the meantime had swooned +away. + +My detested companion looked at me indignantly, and whispered, “Can you +endure this? Have you no blood in your veins?” He instantly pricked my +finger, which bled. “Yes, positively,” he exclaimed, “you have some +blood left!—come, sign.” The parchment and pen were in my hand! + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +I SUBMIT myself to thy judgment, my dear Chamisso; I do not seek to bias +it. I have long been a rigid censor of myself, and nourished at my heart +the worm of remorse. This critical moment of my life is ever present to +my soul, and I dare only cast a hesitating glance at it, with a deep +sense of humiliation and grief. Ah, my dear friend, he who once permits +himself thoughtlessly to deviate but one step from the right road, will +imperceptibly find himself involved in various intricate paths, all +leading him farther and farther astray. In vain he beholds the +guiding-stars of Heaven shining before him. No choice is left him—he +must descend the precipice, and offer himself up a sacrifice to his fate. +After the false step which I had rashly made, and which entailed a curse +upon me, I had, in the wantonness of passion, entangled one in my fate +who had staked all her happiness upon me. What was left for me to do in +a case where I had brought another into misery, but to make a desperate +leap in the dark to save her?—the last, the only means of rescue +presented itself. Think not so meanly of me, Chamisso, as to imagine +that I would have shrunk from any sacrifice on my part. In such a case +it would have been but a poor ransom. No, Chamisso; but my whole soul +was filled with unconquerable hatred to the cringing knave and his +crooked ways. I might be doing him injustice; but I shuddered at the +bare idea of entering into any fresh compact with him. But here a +circumstance took place which entirely changed the face of things . . . + +I know not whether to ascribe it to excitement of mind, exhaustion of +physical strength (for during the last few days I had scarcely tasted +anything), or the antipathy I felt to the society of my fiendish +companion; but just as I was about to sign the fatal paper, I fell into a +deep swoon, and remained for a long time as if dead. The first sounds +which greeted my ear on recovering my consciousness were those of cursing +and imprecation; I opened my eyes—it was dusk; my hateful companion was +overwhelming me with reproaches. “Is not this behaving like an old +woman? Come, rise up, and finish quickly what you were going to do; or +perhaps you have changed your determination, and prefer to lie groaning +there?” + +I raised myself with difficulty from the ground and gazed around me +without speaking a word. It was late in the evening, and I heard strains +of festive music proceeding from the ranger’s brilliantly illuminated +house; groups of company were lounging about the gardens; two persons +approached, and seating themselves on the bench I had lately occupied, +began to converse on the subject of the marriage which had taken place +that morning between the wealthy Mr. Rascal and Minima. All was then +over. + +I tore off the cap which rendered me invisible; and my companion having +disappeared, I plunged in silence into the thickest gloom of the grove, +rapidly passed Count Peter’s bower towards the entrance-gate; but my +tormentor still haunted me, and loaded me with reproaches. “And is this +all the gratitude I am to expect from you, Mr. Schlemihl—you, whom I have +been watching all the weary day, until you should recover from your +nervous attack? What a fool’s part I have been enacting! It is of no +use flying from me, Mr. Perverse—we are inseparable—you have my gold, I +have your shadow; this exchange deprives us both of peace. Did you ever +hear of a man’s shadow leaving him?—yours follows me until you receive it +again into favour, and thus free me from it. Disgust and weariness +sooner or later will compel you to do what you should have done gladly at +first. In vain you strive with fate!” + +He continued unceasingly in the same tone, uttering constant sarcasms +about the gold and the shadow, till I was completely bewildered. To fly +from him was impossible. I had pursued my way through the empty streets +towards my own house, which I could scarcely recognise—the windows were +broken to pieces, no light was visible, the doors were shut, and the +bustle of domestics had ceased. My companion burst into a loud laugh. +“Yes, yes,” said he, “you see the state of things: however, you will find +your friend Bendel at home; he was sent back the other day so fatigued, +that I assure you he has never left the house since. He will have a fine +story to tell! So I wish you a very good night—may we shortly meet +again!” + +I had repeatedly rung the bell: at last a light appeared; and Bendel +inquired from within who was there. The poor fellow could scarcely +contain himself at the sound of my voice. The door flew open, and we +were locked in each other’s arms. I found him sadly changed; he was +looking ill and feeble. I, too, was altered; my hair had become quite +grey. He conducted me through the desolate apartments to an inner room, +which had escaped the general wreck. After partaking of some +refreshment, we seated ourselves; and, with fresh lamentations, he began +to tell me that the grey withered old man whom he had met with my shadow +had insensibly led him such a zig-zag race, that he had lost all traces +of me, and at last sank down exhausted with fatigue; that, unable to find +me, he had returned home, when, shortly after the mob, at Rascal’s +instigation, assembled violently before the house, broke the windows, and +by all sorts of excesses completely satiated their fury. Thus had they +treated their benefactor. My servants had fled in all directions. The +police had banished me from the town as a suspicious character, and +granted me an interval of twenty-four hours to leave the territory. +Bendel added many particulars as to the information I had already +obtained respecting Rascal’s wealth and marriage. This villain, it +seems—who was the author of all the measures taken against me—became +possessed of my secret nearly from the beginning, and, tempted by the +love of money, had supplied himself with a key to my chest, and from that +time had been laying the foundation of his present wealth. Bendel +related all this with many tears, and wept for joy that I was once more +safely restored to him, after all his fears and anxieties for me. In me, +however, such a state of things only awoke despair. + +My dreadful fate now stared me in the face in all its gigantic and +unchangeable horror. The source of tears was exhausted within me; no +groans escaped my breast; but with cool indifference I bared my +unprotected head to the blast. “Bendel,” said I, “you know my fate; this +heavy visitation is a punishment for my early sins: but as for thee, my +innocent friend, I can no longer permit thee to share my destiny. I will +depart this very night—saddle me a horse—I will set out alone. Remain +here, Bendel—I insist upon it: there must be some chests of gold still +left in the house—take them, they are thine. I shall be a restless and +solitary wanderer on the face of the earth; but should better days arise, +and fortune once more smile propitiously on me, then I will not forget +thy steady fidelity; for in hours of deep distress thy faithful bosom has +been the depository of my sorrows.” With a bursting heart, the worthy +Bendel prepared to obey this last command of his master; for I was deaf +to all his arguments and blind to his tears. My horse was brought—I +pressed my weeping friend to my bosom—threw myself into the saddle, and, +under the friendly shades of night, quitted this sepulchre of my +existence, indifferent which road my horse should take; for now on this +side the grave I had neither wishes, hopes, nor fears. + +After a short time I was joined by a traveller on foot, who, after +walking for a while by the side of my horse, observed that as we both +seemed to be travelling the same road, he should beg my permission to lay +his cloak on the horse’s back behind me, to which I silently assented. +He thanked me with easy politeness for this trifling favour, praised my +horse, and then took occasion to extol the happiness and the power of the +rich, and fell, I scarcely know how, into a sort of conversation with +himself, in which I merely acted the part of listener. He unfolded his +views of human life and of the world, and, touching on metaphysics, +demanded an answer from that cloudy science to the question of +questions—the answer that should solve all mysteries. He deduced one +problem from another in a very lucid manner, and then proceeded to their +solution. + +You may remember, my dear friend, that after having run through the +school-philosophy, I became sensible of my unfitness for metaphysical +speculations, and therefore totally abstained from engaging in them. +Since then I have acquiesced in some things, and abandoned all hope of +comprehending others; trusting, as you advised me, to my own plain sense +and the voice of conscience to direct and, if possible, maintain me in +the right path. + +Now this skilful rhetorician seemed to me to expend great skill in +rearing a firmly-constructed edifice, towering aloft on its own +self-supported basis, but resting on, and upheld by, some internal +principle of necessity. I regretted in it the total absence of what I +desired to find; and thus it seemed a mere work of art, serving only by +its elegance and exquisite finish to captivate the eye. Nevertheless, I +listened with pleasure to this eloquently gifted man, who diverted my +attention from my own sorrows to the speaker; and he would have secured +my entire acquiescence if he had appealed to my heart as well as to my +judgment. + +In the meantime the hours had passed away, and morning had already dawned +imperceptibly in the horizon; looking up, I shuddered as I beheld in the +east all those splendid hues that announce the rising sun. At this hour, +when all natural shadows are seen in their full proportions, not a fence +or a shelter of any kind could I descry in this open country, and I was +not alone! I cast a glance at my companion, and shuddered again—it was +the man in the grey coat himself! He laughed at my surprise, and said, +without giving me time to speak: “You see, according to the fashion of +this world, mutual convenience binds us together for a time: there is +plenty of time to think of parting. The road here along the mountain, +which perhaps has escaped your notice, is the only one that you can +prudently take; into the valley you dare not descend—the path over the +mountain would but reconduct you to the town which you have left—my road, +too, lies this way. I perceive you change colour at the rising sun—I +have no objections to let you have the loan of your shadow during our +journey, and in return you may not be indisposed to tolerate my society. +You have now no Bendel; but I will act for him. I regret that you are +not over-fond of me; but that need not prevent you from accepting my poor +services. The devil is not so black as he is painted. Yesterday you +provoked me, I own; but now that is all forgotten, and you must confess I +have this day succeeded in beguiling the wearisomeness of your journey. +Come, take your shadow, and make trial of it.” + +The sun had risen, and we were meeting with passengers; so I reluctantly +consented. With a smile, he immediately let my shadow glide down to the +ground; and I beheld it take its place by that of my horse, and gaily +trot along with me. My feelings were anything but pleasant. I rode +through groups of country people, who respectfully made way for the +well-mounted stranger. Thus I proceeded, occasionally stealing a +sidelong glance with a beating heart from my horse at the shadow once my +own, but now, alas, accepted as a loan from a stranger, or rather a +fiend. He moved on carelessly at my side, whistling a song. He being on +foot, and I on horseback, the temptation to hazard a silly project +occurred to me; so, suddenly turning my bridle, I set spurs to my horse, +and at full gallop struck into a by-path; but my shadow, on the sudden +movement of my horse, glided away, and stood on the road quietly awaiting +the approach of its legal owner. I was obliged to return abashed towards +the grey man; but he very coolly finished his song, and with a laugh set +my shadow to rights again, reminding me that it was at my option to have +it irrevocably fixed to me, by purchasing it on just and equitable terms. +“I hold you,” said he, “by the shadow; and you seek in vain to get rid of +me. A rich man like you requires a shadow, unquestionably; and you are +to blame for not having seen this sooner.” + +I now continued my journey on the same road; every convenience and even +luxury of life was mine; I moved about in peace and freedom, for I +possessed a shadow, though a borrowed one; and all the respect due to +wealth was paid to me. But a deadly disease preyed on my heart. My +extraordinary companion, who gave himself out to be the humble attendant +of the richest individual in the world, was remarkable for his dexterity; +in short, his singular address and promptitude admirably fitted him to be +the very _beau ideal_ of a rich man’s lacquey. But he never stirred from +my side, and tormented me with constant assurances that a day would most +certainly come when, if it were only to get rid of him, I should gladly +comply with his terms, and redeem my shadow. Thus he became as irksome +as he was hateful to me. I really stood in awe of him—I had placed +myself in his power. Since he had effected my return to the pleasures of +the world, which I had resolved to shun, he had the perfect mastery of +me. His eloquence was irresistible, and at times I almost thought he was +in the right. A shadow is indeed necessary to a man of fortune; and if I +chose to maintain the position in which he had placed me, there was only +one means of doing so. But on one point I was immovable: since I had +sacrificed my love for Minna, and thereby blighted the happiness of my +whole life, I would not now, for all the shadows in the universe be +induced to sign away my soul to this being—I knew not how it might end. + +One day we were sitting by the entrance of a cavern, much visited by +strangers, who ascended the mountain: the rushing noise of a subterranean +torrent resounded from the fathomless abyss, the depths of which exceeded +all calculation. He was, according to his favourite custom, employing +all the powers of his lavish fancy, and all the charm of the most +brilliant colouring, to depict to me what I might effect in the world by +virtue of my purse, when once I had recovered my shadow. With my elbows +resting on my knees, I kept my face concealed in my hands, and listened +to the false fiend, my heart torn between the temptation and my +determined opposition to it. Such indecision I could no longer endure, +and resolved on one decisive effort. + +“You seem to forget,” said I, “that I tolerate your presence only on +certain conditions, and that I am to retain perfect freedom of action.” + +“You have but to command, I depart,” was all his reply. + +The threat was familiar to me; I was silent. He then began to fold up my +shadow. I turned pale, but allowed him to continue. A long silence +ensued, which he was the first to break. + +“You cannot endure me, Mr. Schlemihl—you hate me—I am aware of it—but +why?—is it, perhaps, because you attacked me on the open plain, in order +to rob me of my invisible bird’s nest? or is it because you thievishly +endeavoured to seduce away the shadow with which I had entrusted you—my +own property—confiding implicitly in your honour! I, for my part, have +no dislike to you. It is perfectly natural that you should avail +yourself of every means, presented either by cunning or force, to promote +your own interests. That your principles also should be of the strictest +sort, and your intentions of the most honourable description,—these are +fancies with which I have nothing to do; I do not pretend to such +strictness myself. Each of us is free, I to act, and you to think, as +seems best. Did I ever seize you by the throat, to tear out of your body +that valuable soul I so ardently wish to possess? Did I ever set my +servant to attack you, to get back my purse, or attempt to run off with +it from you?” + +I had not a word to reply. + +“Well, well,” he exclaimed, “you detest me, and I know it; but I bear you +no malice on that account. We must part—that is clear; also I must say +that you begin to be very tiresome to me. Once more let me advise you to +free yourself entirely from my troublesome presence by the purchase of +your shadow.” + +I held out the purse to him. + +“No, Mr. Schlemihl; not at that price.” + +With a deep sigh, I said, “Be it so, then; let us part, I entreat; cross +my path no more. There is surely room enough in the world for us both.” + +Laughing, he replied, “I go; but just allow me to inform you how you may +at any time recall me whenever you have a mind to see your most humble +servant: you have only to shake your purse, the sound of the gold will +bring me to you in an instant. In this world every one consults his own +advantage; but you see I have thought of yours, and clearly confer upon +you a new power. Oh this purse! it would still prove a powerful bond +between us, had the moth begun to devour your shadow.—But enough: you +hold me by my gold, and may command your servant at any distance. You +know that I can be very serviceable to my friends; and that the rich are +my peculiar care—this you have observed. As to your shadow, allow me to +say, you can only redeem it on one condition.” + +Recollections of former days came over me; and I hastily asked him if he +had obtained Mr. Thomas John’s signature. + +He smiled, and said, “It was by no means necessary from so excellent a +friend.” + +“Where is he? for God’s sake tell me: I insist upon knowing.” + +With some hesitation, he put his hand into his pocket; and drew out the +altered and pallid form of Mr. John by the hair of his head, whose livid +lips uttered the awful words, “_Justo judicio Dei judicatus sum_; _justo +judicio Dei condemnatus sum_”—“I am judged and condemned by the just +judgment of God.” I was horror-struck; and instantly throwing the +jingling purse into the abyss, I exclaimed, “Wretch! in the name of +Heaven, I conjure you to be gone!—away from my sight!—never appear before +me again!” With a dark expression on his countenance, he arose, and +immediately vanished behind the huge rocks which surrounded the place. + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +I WAS now left equally without gold and without shadow; but a heavy load +was taken from my breast, and I felt cheerful. Had not my Minna been +irrecoverably lost to me, or even had I been perfectly free from +self-reproach on her account, I felt that happiness might yet have been +mine. At present I was lost in doubt as to my future course. I examined +my pockets, and found I had a few gold pieces still left, which I counted +with feelings of great satisfaction. I had left my horse at the inn, and +was ashamed to return, or at all events I must wait till the sun had set, +which at present was high in the heavens. I laid myself down under a +shady tree and fell into a peaceful sleep. + +Lovely forms floated in airy measures before me, and filled up my +delightful dreams. Minna, with a garland of flowers entwined in her +hair, was bending over me with a smile of goodwill; also the worthy +Bendel was crowned with flowers, and hastened to meet me with friendly +greetings. Many other forms seemed to rise up confusedly in the +distance: thyself among the number, Chamisso. Perfect radiance beamed +around them, but none had a shadow; and what was more surprising, there +was no appearance of unhappiness on this account. Nothing was to be seen +or heard but flowers and music; and love and joy, and groves of +never-fading palms, seemed the natives of that happy clime. + +In vain I tried to detain and comprehend the lovely but fleeting forms. +I was conscious, also, of being in a dream, and was anxious that nothing +should rouse me from it; and when I did awake, I kept my eyes closed, in +order if possible to continue the illusion. At last I opened my eyes. +The sun was now visible in the east; I must have slept the whole night: I +looked upon this as a warning not to return to the inn. What I had left +there I was content to lose, without much regret; and resigning myself to +Providence, I decided on taking a by-road that led through the wooded +declivity of the mountain. I never once cast a glance behind me; nor did +it ever occur to me to return, as I might have done, to Bendel, whom I +had left in affluence. I reflected on the new character I was now going +to assume in the world. My present garb was very humble—consisting of an +old black coat I formerly had worn at Berlin, and which by some chance +was the first I put my hand on before setting out on this journey, a +travelling-cap, and an old pair of boots. I cut down a knotted stick in +memory of the spot, and commenced my pilgrimage. + +In the forest I met an aged peasant, who gave me a friendly greeting, and +with whom I entered into conversation, requesting, as a traveller +desirous of information, some particulars relative to the road, the +country, and its inhabitants, the productions of the mountain, &c. He +replied to my various inquiries with readiness and intelligence. At last +we reached the bed of a mountain-torrent, which had laid waste a +considerable tract of the forest; I inwardly shuddered at the idea of the +open sunshine. I suffered the peasant to go before me. In the middle of +the very place which I dreaded so much, he suddenly stopped, and turned +back to give me an account of this inundation; but instantly perceiving +that I had no shadow, he broke off abruptly, and exclaimed, “How is +this?—you have no shadow!” + +“Alas, alas!” said I, “in a long and serious illness I had the misfortune +to lose my hair, my nails, and my shadow. Look, good father; although my +hair has grown again, it is quite white; and at my age, my nails are +still very short; and my poor shadow seems to have left me, never to +return.” + +“Ah!” said the old man, shaking his head; “no shadow! that was indeed a +terrible illness, sir.” + +But he did not resume his narrative; and at the very first cross-road we +came to, left me without uttering a syllable. Fresh tears flowed from my +eyes, and my cheerfulness had fled. With a heavy heart I travelled on, +avoiding all society. I plunged into the deepest shades of the forest; +and often, to avoid a sunny tract of country, I waited for hours till +every human being had left it, and I could pass it unobserved. In the +evenings I took shelter in the villages. I bent my steps to a mine in +the mountains, where I hoped to meet with work underground; for besides +that my present situation compelled me to provide for my own support, I +felt that incessant and laborious occupation alone could divert my mind +from dwelling on painful subjects. A few rainy days assisted me +materially on my journey; but it was to the no small detriment of my +boots, the soles of which were better suited to Count Peter than to the +poor foot-traveller. I was soon barefoot, and a new purchase must be +made. The following morning I commenced an earnest search in a +marketplace, where a fair was being held; and I saw in one of the booths +new and second-hand boots set out for sale. I was a long time selecting +and bargaining; I wished much to have a new pair, but was frightened at +the extravagant price; and so was obliged to content myself with a +second-hand pair, still pretty good and strong, which the beautiful +fair-haired youth who kept the booth handed over to me with a cheerful +smile, wishing me a prosperous journey. I went on, and left the place +immediately by the northern gate. + +I was so lost in my own thoughts, that I walked along scarcely knowing +how or where. I was calculating the chances of my reaching the mine by +the evening, and considering how I should introduce myself. I had not +gone two hundred steps, when I perceived I was not in the right road. I +looked round, and found myself in a wild-looking forest of ancient firs, +where apparently the stroke of the axe had never been heard. A few steps +more brought me amid huge rocks covered with moss and saxifragous plants, +between which whole fields of snow and ice were extended. The air was +intensely cold. I looked round, and the forest had disappeared behind +me; a few steps more, and there was the stillness of death itself. The +icy plain on which I stood stretched to an immeasurable distance, and a +thick cloud rested upon it; the sun was of a red blood-colour at the +verge of the horizon; the cold was insupportable. I could not imagine +what had happened to me. The benumbing frost made me quicken my pace. I +heard a distant sound of waters; and, at one step more, I stood on the +icy shore of some ocean. Innumerable droves of sea-dogs rushed past me +and plunged into the waves. I continued my way along this coast, and +again met with rocks, plains, birch and fir forests, and yet only a few +minutes had elapsed. It was now intensely hot. I looked around, and +suddenly found myself between some fertile rice-fields and +mulberry-trees; I sat down under their shade, and found by my watch that +it was just one quarter of an hour since I had left the village market. +I fancied it was a dream; but no, I was indeed awake, as I felt by the +experiment I made of biting my tongue. I closed my eyes in order to +collect my scattered thoughts. Presently I heard unintelligible words +uttered in a nasal tone; and I beheld two Chinese, whose Asiatic +physiognomies were not to be mistaken, even had their costume not +betrayed their origin. They were addressing me in the language and with +the salutations of their country. I rose, and drew back a couple of +steps. They had disappeared; the landscape was entirely changed; the +rice-fields had given place to trees and woods. I examined some of the +trees and plants around me, and ascertained such of them as I was +acquainted with to be productions of the southern part of Asia. I made +one step towards a particular tree, and again all was changed. I now +moved on like a recruit at drill, taking slow and measured steps, gazing +with astonished eyes at the wonderful variety of regions, plains, +meadows, mountains, steppes, and sandy deserts, which passed in +succession before me. I had now no doubt that I had seven-leagued boots +on my feet. + +I fell on my knees in silent gratitude, shedding tears of thankfulness; +for I now saw clearly what was to be my future condition. Shut out by +early sins from all human society, I was offered amends for the privation +by Nature herself, which I had ever loved. The earth was granted me as a +rich garden; and the knowledge of her operations was to be the study and +object of my life. This was not a mere resolution. I have since +endeavoured, with anxious and unabated industry, faithfully to imitate +the finished and brilliant model then presented to me; and my vanity has +received a check when led to compare the picture with the original. I +rose immediately, and took a hasty survey of this new field, where I +hoped afterwards to reap a rich harvest. + +I stood on the heights of Thibet; and the sun I had lately beheld in the +east was now sinking in the west. I traversed Asia from east to west, +and thence passed into Africa, which I curiously examined at repeated +visits in all directions. As I gazed on the ancient pyramids and temples +of Egypt, I descried, in the sandy deserts near Thebes of the hundred +gates, the caves where Christian hermits dwelt of old. + +My determination was instantly taken, that here should be my future +dwelling. I chose one of the most secluded, but roomy, comfortable, and +inaccessible to the jackals. + +I stepped over from the pillars of Hercules to Europe; and having taken a +survey of its northern and southern countries, I passed by the north of +Asia, on the polar glaciers, to Greenland and America, visiting both +parts of this continent; and the winter, which was already at its height +in the south, drove me quickly back from Cape Horn to the north. I +waited till daylight had risen in the east of Asia, and then, after a +short rest, continued my pilgrimage. I followed in both the Americas the +vast chain of the Andes, once considered the loftiest on our globe. I +stepped carefully and slowly from one summit to another, sometimes over +snowy heights, sometimes over flaming volcanoes, often breathless from +fatigue. At last I reached Elias’s mountain, and sprang over Behring’s +Straits into Asia; I followed the western coast in its various windings, +carefully observing which of the neighbouring isles was accessible to me. +From the peninsula of Malacca, my boots carried me to Sumatra, Java, +Bali, and Lombok. I made many attempts—often with danger, and always +unsuccessfully—to force my way over the numerous little islands and rocks +with which this sea is studded, wishing to find a north-west passage to +Borneo and other islands of the Archipelago. + +At last I sat down at the extreme point of Lombok, my eyes turned towards +the south-east, lamenting that I had so soon reached the limits allotted +to me, and bewailing my fate as a captive in his grated cell. Thus was I +shut out from that remarkable country, New Holland, and the islands of +the southern ocean, so essentially necessary to a knowledge of the earth, +and which would have best assisted me in the study of the animal and +vegetable kingdoms. And thus, at the very outset, I beheld all my +labours condemned to be limited to mere fragments. + +Ah! Chamisso, what is the activity of man? + +Frequently in the most rigorous winters of the southern hemisphere I have +rashly thrown myself on a fragment of drifting ice between Cape Horn and +Van Dieman’s Land, in the hope of effecting a passage to New Holland, +reckless of the cold and the vast ocean, reckless of my fate, even should +this savage land prove my grave. + +But all in vain—I never reached New Holland. Each time, when defeated in +my attempt, I returned to Lombok; and seated at its extreme point, my +eyes directed to the south-east, I gave way afresh to lamentations that +my range of investigation was so limited. At last I tore myself from the +spot, and, heartily grieved at my disappointment, returned to the +interior of Asia. Setting out at morning dawn, I traversed it from east +to west, and at night reached the cave in Thebes which I had previously +selected for my dwelling-place, and had visited yesterday afternoon. + +After a short repose, as soon as daylight had visited Europe, it was my +first care to provide myself with the articles of which I stood most in +need. First of all a drag, to act on my boots; for I had experienced the +inconvenience of these whenever I wished to shorten my steps and examine +surrounding objects more fully. A pair of slippers to go over the boots +served the purpose effectually; and from that time I carried two pairs +about me, because I frequently cast them off from my feet in my botanical +investigations, without having time to pick them up, when threatened by +the approach of lions, men, or hyenas. My excellent watch, owing to the +short duration of my movements, was also on these occasions an admirable +chronometer. I wanted, besides, a sextant, a few philosophical +instruments, and some books. To purchase these things, I made several +unwilling journeys to London and Paris, choosing a time when I could be +hid by the favouring clouds. As all my ill-gotten gold was exhausted, I +carried over from Africa some ivory, which is there so plentiful, in +payment of my purchases—taking care, however, to pick out the smallest +teeth, in order not to over-burden myself. I had thus soon provided +myself with all that I wanted, and now entered on a new mode of life as a +student—wandering over the globe—measuring the height of the mountains, +and the temperature of the air and of the springs—observing the manners +and habits of animals—investigating plants and flowers. From the equator +to the pole, and from the new world to the old, I was constantly engaged +in repeating and comparing my experiments. + +My usual food consisted of the eggs of the African ostrich or northern +sea-birds, with a few fruits, especially those of the palm and the banana +of the tropics. The tobacco-plant consoled me when I was depressed; and +the affection of my spaniel was a compensation for the loss of human +sympathy and society. When I returned from my excursions, loaded with +fresh treasures, to my cave in Thebes, which he guarded during my +absence, he ever sprang joyfully forward to greet me, and made me feel +that I was indeed not alone on the earth. An adventure soon occurred +which brought me once more among my fellow-creatures. + + * * * * * + +One day, as I was gathering lichens and algæ on the northern coast, with +the drag on my boots, a bear suddenly made his appearance, and was +stealing towards me round the corner of a rock. After throwing away my +slippers, I attempted to step across to an island, by means of a rock, +projecting from the waves in the intermediate space, that served as a +stepping-stone. I reached the rock safely with one foot, but instantly +fell into the sea with the other, one of my slippers having inadvertently +remained on. The cold was intense; and I escaped this imminent peril at +the risk of my life. On coming ashore, I hastened to the Libyan sands to +dry myself in the sun; but the heat affected my head so much, that, in a +fit of illness, I staggered back to the north. In vain I sought relief +by change of place—hurrying from east to west, and from west to east—now +in climes of the south, now in those of the north; sometimes I rushed +into daylight, sometimes into the shades of night. I know not how long +this lasted. A burning fever raged in my veins; with extreme anguish I +felt my senses leaving me. Suddenly, by an unlucky accident, I trod upon +some one’s foot, whom I had hurt, and received a blow in return which +laid me senseless. + +On recovering, I found myself lying comfortably in a good bed, which, +with many other beds, stood in a spacious and handsome apartment. Some +one was watching by me; people seemed to be walking from one bed to +another; they came beside me, and spoke of me as _Number Twelve_. On +the wall, at the foot of my bed—it was no dream, for I distinctly read +it—on a black-marble tablet was inscribed my name, in large letters of +gold:— + + PETER SCHLEMIHL + +Underneath were two rows of letters in smaller characters, which I was +too feeble to connect together, and closed my eyes again. + +I now heard something read aloud, in which I distinctly noted the words, +“Peter Schlemihl,” but could not collect the full meaning. I saw a man +of benevolent aspect, and a very beautiful female dressed in black, +standing near my bed; their countenances were not unknown to me, but in +my weak state I could not remember who they were. Some time elapsed, and +I began to regain my strength. I was called _Number Twelve_, and, from +my long beard, was supposed to be a Jew, but was not the less carefully +nursed on that account. No one seemed to perceive that I was destitute +of a shadow. My boots, I was assured, together with everything found on +me when I was brought here, were in safe keeping, and would be given up +to me on my restoration to health. This place was called the +SCHLMEIHLIUM: the daily recitation I had heard, was an exhortation to +pray for Peter Schlemihl as the founder and benefactor of this +institution. The benevolent-looking man whom I had seen by my bedside +was Bendel; the beautiful lady in black was Minna. + +I had been enjoying the advantages of the Schlemihlium without being +recognised; and I learned, further, that I was in Bendel’s native town, +where he had employed a part of my once unhallowed gold in founding an +hospital in my name, under his superintendence, and that its unfortunate +inmates daily pronounced blessings on me. Minna had become a widow: an +unhappy lawsuit had deprived Rascal of his life, and Minna of the greater +part of her property. Her parents were no more; and here she dwelt in +widowed piety, wholly devoting herself to works of mercy. + +One day, as she stood by the side of Number Twelve’s bed with Bendel, he +said to her, “Noble lady, why expose yourself so frequently to this +unhealthy atmosphere? Has fate dealt so harshly with you as to render +you desirous of death?” + +“By no means, Mr. Bendel,” she replied; “since I have awoke from my long +dream, all has gone well with me. I now neither wish for death nor fear +it, and think on the future and on the past with equal serenity. Do you +not also feel an inward satisfaction in thus paying a pious tribute of +gratitude and love to your old master and friend?” + +“Thanks be to God, I do, noble lady,” said he. “Ah, how wonderfully has +everything fallen out! How thoughtlessly have we sipped joys and sorrows +from the full cup now drained to the last drop; and we might fancy the +past a mere prelude to the real scene for which we now wait armed by +experience. How different has been the reality! Yet let us not regret +the past, but rather rejoice that we have not lived in vain. As respects +our old friend also, I have a firm hope that it is now better with him +than formerly.” + +“I trust so, too,” answered Minna; and so saying she passed by me, and +they departed. + +This conversation made a deep impression on me; and I hesitated whether I +should discover myself or depart unknown. At last I decided; and, asking +for pen and paper, wrote as follows:— + +“Matters are indeed better with your old friend than formerly. He has +repented; and his repentance has led to forgiveness.” + +I now attempted to rise, for I felt myself stronger. The keys of a +little chest near my bed were given me; and in it I found all my effects. +I put on my clothes; fastened my botanical case round me—wherein, with +delight, I found my northern lichens all safe—put on my boots, and +leaving my note on the table, left the gates, and was speedily far +advanced on the road to Thebes. + +Passing along the Syrian coast, which was the same road I had taken on +last leaving home, I beheld my poor Figaro running to meet me. The +faithful animal, after vainly waiting at home for his master’s return, +had probably followed his traces. I stood still, and called him. He +sprang towards me with leaps and barks, and a thousand demonstrations of +unaffected delight. I took him in my arms—for he was unable to follow +me—and carried him home. + +There I found everything exactly in the order in which I had left it; and +returned by degrees, as my increasing strength allowed me, to my old +occupations and usual mode of life, from which I was kept back a whole +year by my fall into the Polar Ocean. And this, dear Chamisso, is the +life I am still leading. My boots are not yet worn out, as I had been +led to fear would be the case from that very learned work of Tieckius—_De +rebus gestis Pollicilli_. Their energies remain unimpaired; and although +mine are gradually failing me, I enjoy the consolation of having spent +them in pursuing incessantly one object, and that not fruitlessly. + +So far as my boots would carry me, I have observed and studied our globe +and its conformation, its mountains and temperature, the atmosphere in +its various changes, the influences of the magnetic power; in fact, I +have studied all living creation—and more especially the kingdom of +plants—more profoundly than any one of our race. I have arranged all the +facts in proper order, to the best of my ability, in different works. +The consequences deducible from these facts, and my views respecting +them, I have hastily recorded in some essays and dissertations. I have +settled the geography of the interior of Africa and the Arctic regions, +of the interior of Asia and of its eastern coast. My _Historia stirpium +plantarum utriusque orbis_ is an extensive fragment of a _Flora +universalis terræ_ and a part of my _Systema naturæ_. Besides increasing +the number of our known species by more than a third, I have also +contributed somewhat to the natural system of plants and to a knowledge +of their geography. I am now deeply engaged on my _Fauna_, and shall +take care to have my manuscripts sent to the University of Berlin before +my decease. + +I have selected thee, my dear Chamisso, to be the guardian of my +wonderful history, thinking that, when I have left this world, it may +afford valuable instruction to the living. As for thee, Chamisso, if +thou wouldst live amongst thy fellow-creatures, learn to value thy shadow +more than gold; if thou wouldst only live to thyself and thy nobler +part—in this thou needest no counsel. + + + +APPENDIX. + + +[_From the prefatory matter prefixed to time Berlin edition_, 1839, _from + which the present translation is made_.] + + +PREFACE BY THE EDITOR. + + +THE origin of “Peter Schlemihl” is to be ascribed in a great degree to +circumstances that occurred in the life of the writer. During the +eventful year of 1813, when the movement broke out which ultimately freed +Germany from the yoke of her oppressor, and precipitated his downfall, +Chamisso was in Berlin. Everyone who could wield a sword hastened then +to employ it on behalf of Germany and of the good cause. Chamisso had +not only a powerful arm, but a heart also of truly German mould; and yet +he was placed in a situation so peculiar as to isolate him among +millions. As he was of French parentage, the question was, not merely +whether he should fight on behalf of Germany, but, also, whether he +should fight against the people with whom he was connected by the ties of +blood and family relationship. Hence arose a struggle in his breast. +“I, and I alone, am forbidden at this juncture to wield a sword!” Such +was frequently his exclamation; and instead of meeting with sympathy on +account of his peculiar situation, he was frequently doomed to hear, in +the capital of Prussia, the head-quarters of the confederation against +France and Napoleon, expressions of hatred and scorn directed against his +countrymen. He was himself too equitable to mistake the cause of such +expressions, which were perfectly natural under the circumstances, but +they nevertheless deeply afflicted him when they reached his ears. In +this state of things his friends resolved to remove him from such a scene +of excitement, and to place him amid the quiet scenery of the country. +An asylum was offered him in the family of Count Itzenplitsch, where he +was sufficiently near to become acquainted with the gradual development +of the all-important crisis, and yet free from any unpleasant personal +contact with it. Here, at the family-seat of Cunersdorf, scarcely a +day’s journey from Berlin, wholly devoted to botany and other favourite +pursuits, Chamisso conceived the idea of “Peter Schlemihl,” and with +rapid pen finished off the story. Chamisso’s letters of this date (in +the first volume of his Life, by the writer of this notice) afford +evidence of this. + +The first edition of the incomparable story appeared in 1814, with a +dedication dated May 27, 1813; and it was just beginning to be known in +the world at the commencement of 1815, when the author left Germany on a +voyage round the world, of which the story contains a remarkable +anticipation. “Peter Schlemihl” was his parting salutation to his second +fatherland, and the first foundation-stone of his future fame. + +Chamisso was often pestered with questions respecting what he really +meant by the story of Schlemihl. These questions amused as well as +annoyed him. The truth is, that his intention in writing it was perhaps +scarcely of so precise a nature as to admit of his giving a formal +account of it. The story sprang into being of itself, like every work of +genius, prompted by a self-creating power. In a letter to the writer of +this notice, after he had just commenced the story, he says, “A book was +the last thing you would have expected from me! Place it before your +wife this evening, if you have time; should she be desirous to know +Schlemihl’s further adventures, and particularly who the man in the grey +cloak is—send me back the MS. immediately, that I may continue the story; +but if you do not return it, I shall know the meaning of the signal +perfectly.” Is it possible for any writer to submit himself to the +scrutiny of the public more good-naturedly? + +In the preface to the new French translation (which appeared in 1838) of +this story, Chamisso amuses himself in his own peculiar way, over the +prying curiosity of those who want to know what his real object was in +writing this tale:—“The present story,” he says, “has fallen into the +hands of thoughtful people, who, being accustomed to read only for +instruction’s sake, have been at a loss to know what the shadow +signifies. On this point several have formed curious hypotheses; others, +who do me the honour to believe that I am more learned than I really am, +have addressed themselves to me for the solution of their doubts. The +questions with which they have besieged me have made me blush on account +of my ignorance. I have therefore been induced to devote myself to the +investigation of a matter not hitherto the subject of my studies; and I +now beg to submit to the world the result of my learned researches. + +“‘_Concerning Shadows_.—A dark body can only be partially illuminated by +a bright one. The dark space which lies in the direction of the +unilluminated part is what we call a _shadow_. Properly speaking, shadow +signifies a bodily space, the form of which depends upon the form of the +illuminating body, and upon their opposite position with regard to each +other. The shadow thrown on a surface, situated before the +shadow-projecting body, is, therefore, nothing else than the intersection +of this surface by the bodily space (in French, _le solide_, on which +word _solid_ the whole force of the humour turns), which we before +designated by the word shadow.’ + +“The question in this wonderful history of Peter Schlemihl relates +entirely to the last-mentioned quality, _solidity_. The science of +finance instructs us sufficiently as to the value of money: the value of +a shadow is less generally acknowledged. My thoughtless friend was +covetous of money, of which he knew the value, and forgot to think on +solid substance. It was his wish that the lesson which he had paid for +so dearly should be turned to our profit; and his bitter experience calls +to us with a loud voice, Think on the solid—the substantial!” So far +Chamisso. + +“Peter Schlemihl” has been translated into almost all the languages of +Europe. Of the Dutch, Spanish, and Russian translations we do not +possess any copies. The French and Italian are as follows:— + + _Pierre Schlemihl_. _Paris_, _chez Ladvocat_, 1822.—This was revised + by Chamisso in manuscript, who added a preface to it; but the + translation was afterwards capriciously altered by the same publisher. + + _Un Roman du Poète Allemand contemporain_, _Adelbert de Chamisso_; + _traduit par N. Martin_. _Histoire merveilleuse de Pierre Schlemihl_. + _Dunquerque_, 1837.—At the end the translator has added a letter to a + friend, with the Greek motto, “Life is the dream of a shadow.” The + translator, while laughing in this letter at the Germans, who, he says, + ought to write three folio volumes of explanatory notes on the little + volume, falls into the error of being very diffuse himself in the + attempt to elucidate his author. His long letter concludes not + inappropriately with these words: “I have just observed, although + certainly rather late, that I have written a letter full of shadows, + and instead of lighting a torch to illuminate the darkness, have, I + fear, only deepened the gloom. Should this be the case, the reader at + any rate will not withhold from me the praise of having preserved the + colours of the original.” + + _Merveilleuse Histoire de Pierre Schlemihl_. _Enrichie d’une savente + préface_, _où les curieux pourront apprendre ce que c’est que l’ombre_. + _Paris et Nurnberg_, 1838. _With illustrations_.—This translation was + revised by Chamisso. + + _L’Uomo senz’ Ombra_. _Dono di simpatia al gentil sesso_. _Milano_, + 1838. Published as an Annual, with a Calendar, and Engravings.—The + editor is pleased not only to withhold the author’s name, but manages + so to word his own preface as to lead his readers to conclude that he + himself is the author of the book. + +“Schlemihl” was also brought on the stage, but without giving the honours +of authorship to the true source. This took place at Vienna, in +February, 1819. The announcement ran thus:—“Pulzlivizli, or the Man +without a Shadow: a comic, enchanted drama, in three acts, adapted from +De la Motte Fouqué, by Ferdinand Rosenau.” Among the characters were the +grey man, and a certain Albert, probably intended for Schlemihl. Of the +contents of the piece we know nothing. + +In England two editions have appeared [previous to the present,—_Tr._]; +one of which was reprinted at Boston in 1825. Of the popularity of +“Peter Schlemihl” in Great Britain we have a striking proof, from a +caricature that appeared shortly after the coronation of William IV. On +the celebration of this solemnity, a brother of the King—the Duke of +Cumberland—arrived from the Continent to be present on the occasion; and +as he was well known to be an ardent Tory, his reception on the part of +the people was not of the most flattering description. As a consequence +of this, and owing, perhaps, to an expression that fell from the Duke, +that “popularity is only a shadow,” the caricature made its appearance. +In the foreground of the print is seen a striking likeness of the royal +Duke in the costume of the Order of the Garter. On his right stands the +King, with the crown on his head, and reflecting a goodly shadow on the +wall. Between the King and his brother are some courtiers, who exclaim, +in a tone of commiseration, “Lost, or stolen, a gentleman’s shadow.” At +the bottom of the print is the following inscription:— + + “PETER SCHLEMIHL AT THE CORONATION. + + Granted that popularity is nothing but a shadow, it is still far from + pleasant to be without that shadow.” + + + +BRIEF SKETCH OF CHAMISSO’S LIFE. + + +Louis Adelbert de Chamisso was born January 27, 1781, at Beaucourt, in +Champagne. At the Revolution, he left France with his parents, and came +to Berlin, where, in 1796, he was appointed page to the King, and soon +after had a commission given him in the army. He applied himself with +much ardour to acquire the German language, and felt great interest in +the study of its literature, particularly its poetry and philosophy, and +was most attracted by those writers whose character presented the +greatest contrast to that of his own countrymen. By intercourse with the +learned, and by the friendships which he formed, he soon became +thoroughly German, which he proved by his poems, which were distinguished +above the crowd of such compositions by the originality of their style, +and peculiar vigour. From 1804 to 1806 he published the “Almanack of the +Muses,” in conjunction with Varnhagen von Ense. At the peace of Tilsit +he left the army, and visited France, when his family obtained back part +of their possessions. At this time he held, for a short period, a +situation as Professor at the school of Napoleonville, but soon returned +to Germany, devoting himself wholly to a literary life, and in particular +to the study of natural history. During his visit to France, he spent +some time with Madame de Staël, whom he also visited in Switzerland. In +1811 he returned to Berlin; and in 1813 he wrote his “Peter Schlemihl,” +which marked him out as a man of distinguished and original genius. It +was published in 1814 by his friend Fouqué. When Count Runnjanzow +resolved on undertaking a voyage round the world, he invited Chamisso to +accompany him as naturalist to the expedition—an invitation which he +gladly embraced. The ships left Cronstadt in 1815, and returned in 1818; +and although the discovery of a North-West passage—the great object of +the expedition—was not attained, yet extensive acquisitions were made in +every department of scientific research. Chamisso’s share in the voyage +is recorded in the third volume of the account of it published at Weimar +in 1821, and does honour to his spirit of careful observation and his +accuracy. He now again fixed his residence at Berlin, from whose +university he received the degree of doctor in philosophy. An +appointment at the Botanic Garden allowed him full liberty to follow up +his favourite pursuit of natural history, and bound him by still stronger +ties to his second fatherland. He now wrote an account of the principal +plants of the North of Germany, with views respecting the vegetable +kingdom and the science of botany: this work appeared at Berlin in 1827. +Poetry, however, had still some share of his attention; and he continued, +during the latter years of his life, to maintain his claims to an +honourable place among the poets of Germany. Several of his ballads and +romances rank with the most distinguished of modern times in this branch +of composition. Surrounded by a circle of attached and admiring friends, +Chamisso continued thus entirely engaged till his death, in 1839, leaving +behind him a name and works which posterity “will not willingly let +perish.” + + + +FROM THE BARON DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ TO JULIUS EDWARD HITZIG. + + + [_From the first edition_.] + +We should take care, my dear Edward, not to expose the history of poor +Schlemihl to eyes unfit to look upon it. That would be a bad experiment. +Of such eyes there are plenty; and who is able to predict what may befal +a _manuscript_, which is almost more difficult to guard than spoken +language? Like a person seized with vertigo, therefore, who, in the +paroxysm of his feelings, leaps into the abyss, I commit the story to the +press. + +And yet there are better and more serious reasons for the step I have +taken. If I am not wholly deceived, there are in our dear Germany many +hearts both capable and worthy of comprehending poor Schlemihl, although +a smile will arise on the countenance of many among our honest countrymen +at the bitter sport which was death to him and to the innocent being whom +he drew along with him. And you, Edward, when you have seen the +estimable work, and reflected on the number of unknown and sympathising +bosoms who, with ourselves, will learn to love it,—you will, then, +perhaps, feel that some drops of consolation have been instilled into +those wounds inflicted on you, and on all who love you, by death. + +To conclude: I have become convinced, by repeated experience, that a +guardian angel watches over books, places them in proper hands, and if +not always, yet often, prevents them from falling into improper. In any +case, he exercises an invisible guardianship over every work of true +genius and genuine feeling, and with unfailing tact and skill opens or +shuts its pages as he sees fit. + +To this guardian angel I commit our “Schlemihl.” And so, adieu! + + FOUQUÉ. + +_Neunhausen_, _May_, 1814. + + + + +THE STORY WITHOUT AN END. + + +TO MY DAUGHTER + + +MY DEAR CHILD, + +The story you love so much in German I dedicate to you in English. It +was in compliance with your earnest wish that other children might share +the delight it has so often afforded you, that I translated it; so that +it is, in some sort, yours of right. Let us hope that your confident +expectations of sympathy in your pleasure may not be disappointed; or +that, if others think the story less beautiful than you do, they may find +compensation in the graceful designs it has inspired. + +You have often regretted that it left off so soon, and would, I believe, +“have been glad to hear more and more, and for ever.” The continuation +you have longed for lies in a wide and magnificent book, which contains +more wonderful and glorious things than all our favourite fairy tales put +together. But to read in that book, so as to discover all its beautiful +meanings, you must have pure, clear eyes, and an humble, loving heart; +otherwise you will complain, as some do, that it is dim and puzzling; or, +as others that it is dull and monotonous. + +May you continue to read in it with new curiosity, new delight, and new +profit; and to find it, as long as you live, the untiring “Story without +an End.” + + Your affectionate mother, + + S. A. + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +THERE was once a Child who lived in a little hut, and in the hut there +was nothing but a little bed and a looking-glass which hung in a dark +corner. Now the Child cared nothing at all about the looking-glass; but +as soon as the first sunbeam glided softly through the casement, and +kissed his sweet eyelids, and the finch and the linnet waked him merrily +with their morning songs, he arose, and went out into the green meadow. +And he begged flour of the primrose, and sugar of the violet, and butter +of the buttercup; he shook dewdrops from the cowslip into the cup of a +harebell; spread out a large lime-leaf, set his little breakfast upon it, +and feasted daintily. Sometimes he invited a humming-bee, oftener a gay +butterfly, to partake his feast; but his favourite guest was the blue +dragon-fly. The bee murmured a good deal, in a solemn tone, about his +riches; but the Child thought that if he were a bee, heaps of treasure +would not make him gay and happy; and that it must be much more +delightful and glorious to float about in the free and fresh breezes of +spring, and to hum joyously in the web of the sunbeams, than, with heavy +feet and heavy heart, to stow the silver wax and the golden honey into +cells. + +To this the Butterfly assented; and he told how once on a time, he too +had been greedy and sordid; how he had thought of nothing but eating, and +had never once turned his eyes upwards to the blue heavens. At length, +however, a complete change had come over him; and instead of crawling +spiritless about the dirty earth, half dreaming, he all at once awaked as +out of a deep sleep. And now he would rise into the air;—and it was his +greatest joy sometimes to play with the light, and to reflect the heavens +in the bright eyes of his wings; sometimes to listen to the soft language +of the flowers, and catch their secrets. Such talk delighted the Child, +and his breakfast was the sweeter to him, and the sunshine on leaf and +flower seemed to him more bright and cheering. + +But when the Bee had flown off to beg from flower to flower, and the +Butterfly had fluttered away to his playfellows, the Dragon-fly still +remained, poised on a blade of grass. Her slender and burnished body, +more brightly and deeply blue than the deep blue sky, glistened in the +sun beam; and her net-like wings laughed at the flowers because _they_ +could not fly, but must stand still and abide the wind and the rain. The +Dragon-fly sipped a little of the Child’s clear dew-drops and blue +violet-honey, and then whispered her winged words. And the Child made an +end of his repast, closed his dark blue eyes, bent down his beautiful +head, and listened to the sweet prattle. + + * * * * * + +Then the Dragon-fly told much of the merry life in the green wood; how +sometimes she played hide-and-seek with her playfellows under the broad +leaves of the oak and the beech trees; or hunt-the-hare along the surface +of the still waters; sometimes quietly watched the sunbeams, as they flew +busily from moss to flower and from flower to bush, and shed life and +warmth over all. But at night, she said, the moonbeams glided softly +around the wood, and dropped dew into the mouths of all the thirsty +plants; and when the dawn pelted the slumberers with the soft roses of +heaven, some of the half-drunken flowers looked up and smiled; but most +of them could not so much as raise their heads for a long, long time. + +Such stories did the Dragon-fly tell; and as the Child sat motionless +with his eyes shut, and his head rested on his little hand, she thought +he had fallen asleep; so she poised her double wings and flew into the +rustling wood. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +BUT the Child was only sunk into a dream of delight, and was wishing _he_ +were a sunbeam or a moonbeam; and he would have been glad to hear more +and more, and for ever. But at last, as all was still, he opened his +eyes and looked around for his dear guest; but she was flown far away; so +he could not bear to sit there any longer alone, and he rose and went to +the gurgling brook. It gushed and rolled so merrily, and tumbled so +wildly along as it hurried to throw itself head over heels into the +river, just as if the great massy rock out of which it sprang were close +behind it, and could only be escaped by a break-neck leap. + +Then the Child began to talk to the little waves, and asked them whence +they came. They would not stay to give him an answer, but danced away, +one over another; till at last, that the sweet Child might not be +grieved, a drop of water stopped behind a piece of rock. From her the +Child heard strange histories, but he could not understand them all, for +she told him about her former life, and about the depths of the mountain. + +“A long while ago,” said the Drop of Water, “I lived with my countless +sisters in the great ocean, in peace and unity. We had all sorts of +pastimes; sometimes we mounted up high into the air, and peeped at the +stars; then we sank plump down deep below, and looked how the coral +builders work till they are tired, that they may reach the light of day +at last. But I was conceited, and thought myself much better than my +sisters. And so one day, when the sun rose out of the sea, I clung fast +to one of his hot beams, and thought that now I should reach the stars, +and become one of them. But I had not ascended far, when the sunbeam +shook me off, and in spite of all I could say or do, let me fall into a +dark cloud. And soon a flash of fire darted through the cloud, and now I +thought I must surely die; but the whole cloud laid itself down softly +upon the top of a mountain, and so I escaped with my fright, and a black +eye. Now I thought I should remain hidden, when all on a sudden I +slipped over a round pebble, fell from one stone to another, down into +the depths of the mountain, till at last it was pitch dark, and I could +neither see nor hear anything. Then I found, indeed, that ‘pride goeth +before a fall,’ resigned myself to my fate, and, as I had already laid +aside all my unhappy pride in the cloud, my portion was now the salt of +humility; and after undergoing many purifications from the hidden virtues +of metals and minerals, I was at length permitted to come up once more +into the free cheerful air; and now will I run back to my sisters, and +there wait patiently till I am called to something better.” + +But hardly had she done when the root of a forget-me-not caught the drop +of water by her hair and sucked her in, that she might become a floweret, +and twinkle brightly as a blue star on the green firmament of earth. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +THE Child did not very well know what to think of all this: he went +thoughtfully home and laid himself on his little bed; and all night long +he was wandering about on the ocean, and among the stars, and over the +dark mountain. But the moon loved to look on the slumbering Child as he +lay with his little head softly pillowed on his right arm. She lingered +a long time before his little window, and went slowly away to lighten the +dark chamber of some sick person. + +As the moon’s soft light lay on the Child’s eyelids, he fancied he sat in +a golden boat, on a great, great water; countless stars swam glittering +on the dark mirror. He stretched out his hand to catch the nearest star, +but it had vanished, and the water sprayed up against him. Then he saw +clearly that these were not the real stars; he looked up to heaven, and +wished he could fly thither. + +But in the meantime the moon had wandered on her way; and now the Child +was led in his dream into the clouds, and he thought he was sitting on a +white sheep, and he saw many lambs grazing around him. He tried to catch +a little lamb to play with, but it was all mist and vapour; and the Child +was sorrowful, and wished himself down again in his own meadow, where his +own lamb was sporting gaily about. + +Meanwhile the moon was gone to sleep behind the mountains, and all around +was dark. Then the Child dreamt that he fell down into the dark, gloomy +caverns of the mountain, and at that he was so frightened, that he +suddenly awoke, just as morning opened her clear eye over the nearest +hill. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +THE Child started up, and, to recover himself from his fright, went into +the little flower-garden behind his cottage, where the beds were +surrounded by ancient palm-trees, and where he knew that all the flowers +would nod kindly at him. But, behold, the Tulip turned up her nose, and +the Ranunculus held her head as stiffly as possible, that she might not +bow good-morrow to him. The Rose, with her fair round cheeks, smiled and +greeted the Child lovingly; so he went up to her and kissed her fragrant +mouth. And then the Rose tenderly complained that he so seldom came into +the garden, and that she gave out her bloom and her fragrance the +live-long day in vain; for the other flowers could not see her, because +they were too low, or did not care to look at her, because they +themselves were so rich in bloom and fragrance. But she was most +delighted when she glowed in the blooming head of a child, and could pour +out all her heart’s secrets to him in sweet odours. Among other things, +the Rose whispered in his ear that she was the fulness of beauty. + +And in truth the Child, while looking at her beauty, seemed to have quite +forgotten to go on; till the Blue Larkspur called to him, and asked +whether he cared nothing more about his faithful friend; she said that +she was unchanged, and that even in death she should look upon him with +eyes of unfading blue. + +The Child thanked her for her true-heartedness, and passed on to the +Hyacinth, who stood near the puffy, full-cheeked, gaudy Tulips. Even +from a distance the Hyacinth sent forth kisses to him, for she knew not +how to express her love. Although she was not remarkable for her beauty, +yet the Child felt himself wondrously attracted by her, for he thought no +flower loved him so well. But the Hyacinth poured out her full heart and +wept bitterly, because she stood so lonely; the Tulips indeed were her +countrymen, but they were so cold and unfeeling that she was ashamed of +them. The Child encouraged her, and told her he did not think things +were so bad as she fancied. The Tulips spoke their love in bright looks, +while she uttered hers in fragrant words; that these, indeed, were +lovelier and more intelligible, but that the others were not to be +despised. + +Then the Hyacinth was comforted, and said she would be content; and the +Child went on to the powdered Auricula, who, in her bashfulness, looked +kindly up to him, and would gladly have given him more than kind looks, +had she had more to give. But the Child was satisfied with her modest +greeting; he felt that he was poor too, and he saw the deep, thoughtful +colours that lay beneath her golden dust. But the humble flower, of her +own accord, sent him to her neighbour, the Lily, whom she willingly +acknowledged as her queen. And when the Child came to the Lily, the +slender flower waved to and fro and bowed her pale head with gentle pride +and stately modesty, and sent forth a fragrant greeting to him. The +Child knew not what had come to him: it reached his inmost heart, so that +his eyes filled with soft tears. Then he marked how the lily gazed with +a clear and steadfast eye upon the sun, and how the sun looked down again +into her pure chalice, and how, amid this interchange of looks, the three +golden threads united in the centre. And the Child heard how one scarlet +Lady-bird at the bottom of the cup said to another, “Knowest thou not +that we dwell in the flower of heaven?” and the other replied, “Yes; and +now will the mystery be fulfilled.” And as the Child saw and heard all +this, the dim image of his unknown parents, as it were veiled in a holy +light, floated before his eyes: he strove to grasp it, but the light was +gone, and the Child slipped, and would have fallen, had not the branch of +a currant bush caught and held him; and he took some of the bright +berries for his morning’s meal, and went back to his hut and stripped the +little branches. + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +BUT in the hut he stayed not long, all was so gloomy, close, and silent +within, and abroad everything seemed to smile, and to exult in the clear +and unbounded space. Therefore the Child went out into the green wood, +of which the Dragon-fly had told him such pleasant stories. But he found +everything far more beautiful and lovely even than she had described it; +for all about, wherever he went, the tender moss pressed his little feet, +and the delicate grass embraced his knees, and the flowers kissed his +hands, and even the branches stroked his cheeks with a kind and +refreshing touch, and the high trees threw their fragrant shade around +him. + +There was no end to his delight. The little birds warbled and sang, and +fluttered and hopped about, and the delicate wood-flowers gave out their +beauty and their odours; and every sweet sound took a sweet odour by the +hand, and thus walked through the open door of the Child’s heart, and +held a joyous nuptial dance therein. But the Nightingale and the Lily of +the Valley led the dance; for the Nightingale sang of nought but love, +and the Lily breathed of nought but innocence, and he was the bridegroom +and she was the bride. And the Nightingale was never weary of repeating +the same thing a hundred times over, for the spring of love which gushed +from his heart was ever new—and the Lily bowed her head bashfully, that +no one might see her glowing heart. And yet the one lived so solely and +entirely in the other, that no one could see whether the notes of the +Nightingale were floating lilies, or the lilies visible notes, falling +like dewdrops from the Nightingale’s throat. + +The Child’s heart was full of joy even to the brim. He set himself down, +and he almost thought he should like to take root there, and live for +ever among the sweet plants and flowers, and so become a true sharer in +all their gentle pleasures. For he felt a deep delight in the still, +secluded, twilight existence of the mosses and small herbs, which felt +not the storm, nor the frost, nor the scorching sunbeam; but dwelt +quietly among their many friends and neighbours, feasting in peace and +good fellowship on the dew and cool shadows which the mighty trees shed +upon them. To them it was a high festival when a sunbeam chanced to +visit their lowly home; whilst the tops of the lofty trees could find joy +and beauty only in the purple rays of morning or evening. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +AND as the Child sat there, a little Mouse rustled from among the dry +leaves of the former year, and a Lizard half glided from a crevice in the +rock, and both of them fixed their bright eyes upon the little stranger; +and when they saw that he designed them no evil, they took courage and +came nearer to him. + +“I should like to live with you,” said the Child to the two little +creatures, in a soft, subdued voice, that he might not frighten them. +“Your chambers are so snug, so warm, and yet so shaded, and the flowers +grow in at your windows, and the birds sing you their morning song, and +call you to table and to bed with their clear warblings.” + +“Yes,” said the Mouse, “it would be all very well if all the plants bore +nuts and mast, instead of those silly flowers; and if I were not obliged +to grub under ground in the spring, and gnaw the bitter roots, whilst +they are dressing themselves in their fine flowers and flaunting it to +the world, as if they had endless stores of honey in their cellars.” + +“Hold your tongue,” interrupted the Lizard, pertly; “do you think, +because you are grey, that other people must throw away their handsome +clothes, or let them lie in the dark wardrobe under ground, and wear +nothing but grey too? I am not so envious. The flowers may dress +themselves as they like for me; they pay for it out of their own pockets, +and they feed bees and beetles from their cups; but what I want to know +is, of what use are birds in the world? Such a fluttering and +chattering, truly, from morning early to evening late, that one is +worried and stunned to death, and there is never a day’s peace for them. +And they do nothing; only snap up the flies and the spiders out of the +mouths of such as I. For my part, I should be perfectly satisfied, +provided all the birds in the world were flies and beetles.” + +The Child changed colour, and his heart was sick and saddened when he +heard their evil tongues. He could not imagine how anybody could speak +ill of the beautiful flowers, or scoff at his beloved birds. He was +waked out of a sweet dream, and the wood seemed to him lonely and desert, +and he was ill at ease. He started up hastily, so that the Mouse and the +Lizard shrank back alarmed, and did not look around them till they +thought themselves safe out of the reach of the stranger with the large, +severe eyes. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +BUT the Child went away from the place; and as he hung down his head +thoughtfully, he did not observe that he took the wrong path, nor see how +the flowers on either side bowed their heads to welcome him, nor hear how +the old birds from the boughs, and the young from the nests, cried aloud +to him, “God bless thee, our dear little prince!” And he went on and on, +farther and farther, into the deep wood; and he thought over the foolish +and heartless talk of the two selfish chatterers, and could not +understand it. He would fain have forgotten it, but he could not. And +the more he pondered, the more it seemed to him as if a malicious spider +had spun her web around him, and as if his eyes were weary with trying to +look through it. + +And suddenly he came to a still water, above which young beeches lovingly +entwined their arms. He looked in the water, and his eyes were riveted +to it as if by enchantment. He could not move, but stood and gazed in +the soft, placid mirror, from the bosom of which the tender green +foliage, with the deep blue heavens between, gleamed so wondrously upon +him. His sorrow was all forgotten, and even the echo of the discord in +his little heart was hushed. That heart was once more in his eyes; and +fain would he have drunk in the soft beauty of the colours that lay +beneath him, or have plunged into the lovely deep. + +Then the breeze began to sigh among the treetops. The Child raised his +eyes and saw overhead the quivering green, and the deep blue behind it, +and he knew not whether he were waking or dreaming: which were the real +leaves and the real heaven—those in the depths above or in the depths +beneath? Long did the Child waver, and his thoughts floated in a +delicious dreaminess from one to the other, till the Dragon-fly flew to +him in affectionate haste, and with rustling wings greeted her kind host. +The Child returned her greeting, and was glad to meet an acquaintance +with whom he could share the rich feast of his joy. But first he asked +the Dragon-fly if she could decide for him between the Upper and the +Nether—the height and the depth? The Dragon-fly flew above, and beneath, +and around; but the Water spake:—“The foliage and the sky above are not +the true ones: the leaves wither and fall; the sky is often overcast, and +sometimes quite dark.” Then the Leaves and the Sky said, “The water only +apes us; it must change its pictures at our pleasure, and can retain +none.” Then the Dragon-fly remarked that the height and the depth +existed only in the eyes of the Child, and that the Leaves and the Sky +were true and real only in his thoughts; because in the mind alone the +picture was permanent and enduring, and could be carried with him +whithersoever he went. + +This she said to the Child; but she immediately warned him to return, for +the leaves were already beating the tattoo in the evening breeze, and the +lights were disappearing one by one in every corner. Then the Child +confessed to her with alarm that he knew not how he should find the way +back, and that he feared the dark night would overtake him if he +attempted to go home alone; so the Dragon-fly flew on before him, and +showed him a cave in the rock where he might pass the night. + +And the Child was well content; for he had often wished to try if he +could sleep out of his accustomed bed. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +BUT the Dragon-fly was fleet, and gratitude strengthened her wings to pay +her host the honour she owed him. And truly, in the dim twilight good +counsel and guidance were scarce. She flitted hither and thither without +knowing rightly what was to be done; when, by the last vanishing sunbeam, +she saw hanging on the edge of the cave some strawberries who had drunk +so deep of the evening-red, that their heads were quite heavy. Then she +flew up to a Harebell who stood near, and whispered in her ear that the +lord and king of all the flowers was in the wood, and ought to be +received and welcomed as beseemed his dignity. Aglaia did not need that +this should be repeated. She began to ring her sweet bells with all her +might; and when her neighbour heard the sound, she rang hers also; and +soon all the Harebells, great and small, were in motion, and rang as if +it had been for the nuptials of their Mother Earth herself with the +Prince of the Sun. The tone of the Bluebells was deep and rich, and that +of the white, high and clear, and all blended together in a delicious +harmony. + +But the birds were fast asleep in their high nests, and the ears of the +other animals were not delicate enough, or were too much overgrown with +hair, to hear them. The Fire-flies alone heard the joyous peal, for they +were akin to the flowers, through their common ancestor, Light. They +inquired of their nearest relation, the Lily of the Valley, and from her +they heard that a large flower had just passed along the footpath more +blooming than the loveliest rose, and with two stars more brilliant than +those of the brightest fire-fly, and that it must needs be their King. +Then all the Fire-flies flew up and down the footpath, and sought +everywhere, till at length they came, as the Dragon-fly had hoped they +would, to the cave. + +And now, as they looked at the Child, and every one of them saw itself +reflected in his clear eyes, they rejoiced exceedingly, and called all +their fellows together, and alighted on the bushes all around; and soon +it was so light in the cave, that herb and grass began to grow as if it +had been broad day. Now, indeed, was the joy and triumph of the +Dragon-fly complete. The Child was delighted with the merry and silvery +tones of the bells, and with the many little bright-eyed companions +around him, and with the deep red strawberries which bowed down their +heads to his touch. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +AND when he had eaten his fill, he sat down on the soft moss, crossed one +little leg over the other, and began to gossip with the Fire-flies. And +as he so often thought on his unknown parents, he asked them who were +their parents. Then the one nearest to him gave him answer; and he told +how that they were formerly flowers, but none of those who thrust their +rooty hands greedily into the ground and draw nourishment from the dingy +earth, only to make themselves fat and large withal; but that the light +was dearer to them than anything, even at night; and while the other +flowers slept, they gazed unwearied on the light, and drank it in with +eager adoration—sun, and moon, and star light. And the light had so +thoroughly purified them, that they had not sucked in poisonous juices +like the yellow flowers of the earth, but sweet odours for sick and +fainting hearts, and oil of potent ethereal virtue for the weak and the +wounded; and at length, when their autumn came, they did not, like the +others, wither and sink down, leaf and flower, to be swallowed up by the +darksome earth, but shook off their earthly garment and mounted aloft, +into the clear air. But there it was so wondrously bright, that sight +failed them; and when they came to themselves again, they were +fire-flies, each sitting on a withered flower-stalk. + +And now the Child liked the bright-eyed flies better than ever; and he +talked a little longer with them, and inquired why they showed themselves +so much more in spring. They did it, they said, in the hope that their +gold-green radiance might allure their cousins, the flowers, to the pure +love of light. + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +DURING this conversation the dragon-fly had been preparing a bed for her +host. The moss upon which the Child sat had grown a foot high behind his +back, out of pure joy; but the dragon-fly and her sisters had so revelled +upon it, that it was now laid at its length along the cave. The +dragon-fly had awakened every spider in the neighbourhood out of her +sleep, and when they saw the brilliant light, they had set to work +spinning so industriously that their web hung down like a curtain before +the mouth of the cave. But as the Child saw the ant peeping up at him, +he entreated the fire-flies not to deprive themselves any longer of their +merry games in the wood on his account. And the dragon-fly and her +sisters raised the curtain till the Child had laid him down to rest, and +then let it fall again, that the mischievous gnats might not get in to +disturb his slumbers. + +The Child laid himself down to sleep, for he was very tired; but he could +not sleep, for his couch of moss was quite another thing than his little +bed, and the cave was all strange to him. + +He turned himself on one side and then on the other, and, as nothing +would do, he raised himself and sat upright to wait till sleep might +choose to come. But sleep would not come at all; and the only wakeful +eyes in the whole wood were the Child’s. For the harebells had rung +themselves weary, and the fire-flies had flown about till they were +tired, and even the dragon-fly, who would fain have kept watch in front +of the cave, had dropped sound asleep. + +The wood grew stiller and stiller; here and there fell a dry leaf which +had been driven from its old dwelling place by a fresh one; here and +there a young bird gave a soft chirp when its mother squeezed it in the +nest; and from time to time a gnat hummed for a minute or two in the +curtain, till a spider crept on tip-toe along its web, and gave him such +a gripe in the wind-pipe as soon spoiled his trumpeting. + +And the deeper the silence became, the more intently did the Child +listen, and at last the slightest sound thrilled him from head to foot. +At length, all was still as death in the wood; and the world seemed as if +it never would wake again. The Child bent forward to see whether it were +as dark abroad as in the cave, but he saw nothing save the pitch-dark +night, who had wrapped everything in her thick veil. Yet as he looked +upwards his eyes met the friendly glance of two or three stars, and this +was a most joyful surprise to him, for he felt himself no longer so +entirely alone. The stars were, indeed, far, far away, but yet he knew +them, and they knew him; for they looked into his eyes. + +The Child’s whole soul was fixed in his gaze; and it seemed to him as if +he must needs fly out of the darksome cave, thither where the stars were +beaming with such pure and serene light; and he felt how poor and lowly +he was, when he thought of their brilliancy; and how cramped and +fettered, when he thought of their free unbounded course along the +heavens. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +BUT the stars went on their course, and left their glittering picture +only a little while before the Child’s eyes. Even this faded, and then +vanished quite away. And he was beginning to feel tired, and to wish to +lay himself down again, when a flickering Will-o’-the-wisp appeared from +behind a bush—so that the Child thought, at first, one of the stars had +wandered out of its way, and had come to visit him, and to take him with +it. And the Child breathed quick with joy and surprise, and then the +Will-o’-the-wisp came nearer, and sat himself down on a damp mossy stone +in front of the cave, and another fluttered quickly after him, and sat +down over against him and sighed deeply, “Thank God, then, that I can +rest at last!” + +“Yes,” said the other, “for that you may thank the innocent Child who +sleeps there within; it was his pure breath that freed us.” + +“Are you, then,” said the Child, hesitatingly, “not of yon stars which +wander so brightly there above?” + +“Oh, if we were stars,” replied the first, “we should pursue our tranquil +path through the pure element, and should leave this wood and the whole +darksome earth to itself.” + +“And not,” said the other, “sit brooding on the face of the shallow +pool.” + +The Child was curious to know who these could be who shone so +beautifully, and yet seemed so discontented. Then the first began to +relate how he had been a child too, and how, as he grew up, it had always +been his greatest delight to deceive people and play them tricks, to show +his wit and cleverness. He had always, he said, poured such a stream of +smooth words over people, and encompassed himself with such a shining +mist, that men had been attracted by it to their own hurt. But once on a +time there appeared a plain man, who only spoke two or three simple +words, and suddenly the bright mist vanished, and left him naked and +deformed, to the scorn and mockery of the whole world. But the man had +turned away his face from him in pity, while he was almost dead with +shame and anger. And when he came to himself again, he knew not what had +befallen him, till, at length, he found that it was his fate to hover, +without rest or change, over the surface of the bog as a +Will-o’-the-wisp. + +“With me it fell out quite otherwise,” said the first: “instead of giving +light without warmth, as I now do, I burned without shining. When I was +only a child, people gave way to me in everything, so that I was +intoxicated with self-love. If I saw any one shine, I longed to put out +his light; and the more intensely I wished this, the more did my own +small glimmering turn back upon myself, and inwardly burn fiercely while +all without was darker than ever. But if any one who shone more brightly +would have kindly given me of his light, then did my inward flame burst +forth to destroy him. But the flame passed through the light and harmed +it not; it shone only the more brightly, while I was withered and +exhausted. And once upon a time I met a little smiling child, who played +with a cross of palm branches, and wore a beamy coronet around his golden +locks. He took me kindly by the hand and said, ‘My friend, you are now +very gloomy and sad, but if you will become a child again, even as I am, +you will have a bright circlet such as I have.’ When I heard that, I was +so angry with myself and with the child, that I was scorched by my inward +fire. Now would I fain fly up to the sun to fetch rays from him, but the +rays drove me back with these words: + +‘Return thither whence thou camest, thou dark fire of envy, for the sun +lightens only in love; the greedy earth, indeed, sometimes turns his mild +light into scorching fire. Fly back, then, for with thy like alone must +thou dwell.’ I fell, and when I recovered myself I was glimmering coldly +above the stagnant waters.” + +While they were talking the Child had fallen asleep, for he knew nothing +of the world nor of men, and he could make nothing of their stories. +Weariness had spoken a more intelligible language to him—_that_ he +understood, and he had fallen asleep. + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +SOFTLY and soundly he slept till the rosy morning clouds stood upon the +mountain, and announced the coming of their lord, the sun. But as soon +as the tidings spread over field and wood, the thousand-voiced echo +awoke, and sleep was no more to be thought of. + +And soon did the royal sun himself arise; at first his dazzling diadem +alone appeared above the mountains; at length he stood upon their summit +in the full majesty of his beauty, in all the charms of eternal youth, +bright and glorious, his kindly glance embracing every creature of earth, +from the stately oak to the blade of grass bending under the foot of the +wayfaring man. Then arose from every breast, from every throat, the +joyous song of praise; and it was as if the whole plain and wood were +become a temple, whose roof was the heaven, whose altar the mountain, +whose congregation all creatures, whose priest the sun. + +But the Child walked forth and was glad, for the birds sang sweetly, and +it seemed to him as if everything sported and danced out of mere joy to +be alive. Here flew two finches through the thicket, and, twittering, +pursued each other; there, the young buds burst asunder, and the tender +leaves peeped out and expanded themselves in the warm sun, as if they +would abide in his glance for ever; here, a dewdrop trembled, sparkling +and twinkling on a blade of grass, and knew not that beneath him stood a +little moss who was thirsting after him; there, troops of flies flew +aloft, as if they would soar far, far over the wood: and so all was life +and motion, and the Child’s heart joyed to see it. + +He sat down on a little smooth plot of turf, shaded by the branches of a +nut-bush, and thought he should now sip the cup of his delight, drop by +drop. And first he plucked down some brambles which threatened him with +their prickles; then he bent aside some branches which concealed the +view; then he removed the stones, so that he might stretch out his feet +at full length on the soft turf; and when he had done all this, he +bethought himself what was yet to do; and as he found nothing, he stood +up to look for his acquaintance the dragon-fly, and to beg her to guide +him once more out of the wood into the open fields. About midway he met +her, and she began to excuse herself for having fallen asleep in the +night. The Child thought not of the past, were it even but a minute ago, +so earnestly did he now wish to get out from among the thick and close +trees; for his heart beat high, and he felt as if he should breathe freer +in the open ground. The dragon-fly flew on before and showed him the way +as far as the outermost verge of the wood, whence the Child could espy +his own little hut, and then flew away to her playfellows. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +THE Child walked forth alone upon the fresh dewy cornfield. A thousand +little suns glittered in his eyes, and a lark soared warbling above his +head. And the lark proclaimed the joys of the coming year, and awakened +endless hopes, while she soared circling higher and higher, till, at +length, her song was like the soft whisper of an angel holding converse +with the spring, under the blue arch of heaven. The Child had seen the +earth-coloured little bird rise up before him, and it seemed to him as if +the earth had sent her forth from her bosom as a messenger to carry her +joy and her thanks up to the sun, because he had turned his beaming +countenance again upon her in love and bounty. And the lark hung poised +above the hope-giving field, and warbled her clear and joyous song. + +She sang of the loveliness of the rosy dawn, and the fresh brilliancy of +the earliest sunbeams; of the gladsome springing of the young flowers, +and the vigorous shooting of the corn; and her song pleased the Child +beyond measure. + +But the lark wheeled in higher and higher circles, and her song sounded +softer and sweeter. + +And now she sang of the first delights of early love; of wanderings +together on the sunny fresh hilltops, and of the sweet pictures and +visions that arise out of the blue and misty distance. The Child +understood not rightly what he heard, and fain would he have understood, +for he thought that even in such visions must be wondrous delight. He +gazed aloft after the unwearied bird, but she had disappeared in the +morning mist. + +Then the Child leaned his head on one shoulder to listen if he could no +longer hear the little messenger of spring; and he could just catch the +distant and quivering notes in which she sang of the fervent longing +after the clear element of freedom, after the pure all-present light, and +of the blessed foretaste of this desired enfranchisement, of this +blending in the sea of celestial happiness. + +Yet longer did he listen, for the tones of her song carried him there, +where, as yet, his thoughts had never reached, and he felt himself +happier in this short and imperfect flight than ever he had felt before. +But the lark now dropped suddenly to the earth, for her little body was +too heavy for the ambient ether, and her wings were not large nor strong +enough for the pure element. + +Then the red corn-poppies laughed at the homely looking bird, and cried +to one another and to the surrounding blades of corn in a shrill voice, +“Now, indeed, you may see what comes of flying so high, and striving and +straining after mere air; people only lose their time, and bring back +nothing but weary wings and an empty stomach. That vulgar-looking +ill-dressed little creature would fain raise herself above us all, and +has kept up a mighty noise. And now there she lies on the ground and can +hardly breathe, while we have stood still where we are sure of a good +meal, and have stayed, like people of sense, where there is something +substantial to be had; and in the time she has been fluttering and +singing, we have grown a good deal taller and fatter.” + +The other little redcaps chattered and screamed their assent so loud that +the Child’s ears tingled, and he wished he could chastise them for their +spiteful jeers; when a cyane said, in a soft voice, to her younger +playmates, “Dear friends, be not led astray by outward show, nor by +discourse which regards only outward show. The lark is, indeed, weary, +and the space into which she has soared is void; but the void is not what +the lark sought, nor is the seeker returned empty home. She strove after +light and freedom, and light and freedom has she proclaimed. She left +the earth and its enjoyments, but she has drunk of the pure air of +heaven, and has seen that it is not the earth, but the sun that is +steadfast. And if earth has called her back, it can keep nothing of her +but what is its own. Her sweet voice and her soaring wings belong to the +sun, and will enter into light and freedom long after the foolish prater +shall have sunk and been buried in the dark prison of the earth.” + +And the lark heard her wise and friendly discourse, and with renewed +strength she sprang once more into the clear and beautiful blue. + +Then the Child clapped his little hands for joy, that the sweet bird had +flown up again, and that the redcaps must hold their tongues for shame. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +AND the Child was become happy and joyful, and breathed freely again, and +thought no more of returning to his hut, for he saw that nothing returned +inwards, but rather that all strove outwards into the free air; the rosy +apple blossoms from their narrow buds, and the gurgling notes from the +narrow breast of the lark. The germs burst open the folding doors of the +seeds, and broke through the heavy pressure of the earth in order to get +at the light; the grasses tore asunder their bands, and their slender +blades sprung upward. Even the rocks were become gentle, and allowed +little mosses to peep out from their sides, as a sign that they would not +remain impenetrably closed for ever. And the flowers sent out colour and +fragrance into the whole world, for they kept not their best for +themselves, but would imitate the sun and the stars, which poured their +warmth and radiance over the spring. And many a little gnat and beetle +burst the narrow cell in which it was enclosed and crept out slowly, and, +half asleep, unfolded and shook its tender wings, and soon gained +strength, and flew off to untried delights. And as the butterflies came +forth from their chrysalids in all their gaiety and splendour, so did +every humbled and suppressed aspiration and hope free itself, and boldly +launch into the open and flowing sea of spring. + + + + +HYMNS TO NIGHT. + + + (_Translated from the German of Novalis_.) + + + +I. + + +WHO that has life and intelligence, loves not, before all the surrounding +miracles of space, ever-joyous light with its tints, its beams, and its +waves, its mild omnipresence, when it comes as the waking day. Like the +inmost soul of life, it is inhaled by the giant universe of gleaming +stars, that dance as they swim in its blue flood; it is inhaled by the +glittering, eternally motionless stone, by the living plant that drinks +it in, by the wild and impetuous beast in its many forms; but above all, +by the glorious stranger, with eyes of intellect, majestic step, with +lips melodious, and gently closed. As a king over earthly nature, it +calls forth to countless changes every power, binds and loosens bonds +unnumbered, and hangs around every earthly being its heavenly picture. +Alone its presence declares the wondrous glory of the kingdoms the world. + +I turn aside to the holy, the inexpressible, the mysterious Night. Afar +off lies the world, buried in some deep chasm: desolate and lonely is the +spot it filled. Through the chords of the breast sighs deepest sorrow. +I will sink down into the dewdrops, and with ashes will I be commingled. +The distant lines of memory, desires of youth, the dreams of childhood, a +whole life’s short joys and hopes vain, unfulfilled, come clothed in +grey, like evening mists, when the sun’s glory has departed. Elsewhere +has the light broken upon habitations of gladness. What, should it never +return again to its children, who with the faith of innocence await its +coming? + +What fount is thus suddenly opened within the heart, so full of +forethought, that destroys the soft breath of sorrow? Thou also—dost +thou love us, gloomy Night? What holdest thou concealed beneath thy +mantle that draws my soul towards thee with such mysterious power? +Costly balsam raineth from thy hand; from thy horn pourest thou out +manna; the heavy wings of the spirit liftest thou. Darkly and +inexpressibly do we feel ourselves moved: a solemn countenance I behold +with glad alarm, that bends towards me in gentle contemplation, +displaying, among endless allurements of the mother, lovely youth! How +poor and childish does the light now seem! How joyous and how hallowed +is the day’s departure!—Therefore then only, because Night dismissed thy +vassals, hast thou sown in the infinity of space those shining balls to +declare thine almighty power, and thy return in the season of absence? +More heavenly than those glittering stars seem the unnumbered eyes that +Night has opened within us. Farther can they see than beyond the palest +of that countless host; without need of light can they pierce the depths +of a spirit of love, that fills a yet more glorious space with joy beyond +expression. Glory to the world’s Queen, the high declarer of spheres of +holiness, the nurse of hallowed love! Thee, thou tenderly beloved one, +doth she send to me—thee, lovely sun of the Night. Now I awaken, for I +am thine and mine: the Night hast thou given as a sign of life, and made +me man. Devour with glowing spiritual fire this earthly body, that I +ethereal may abide with thee in union yet more perfect, and then may the +bridal Night endure for ever. + + + +II. + + +MUST ever the morn return? Is there no end to the sovereignty of earth? +Unhallowed occupation breaks the heavenly pinion of the Night. Shall the +secret offering of love at no time burn for ever? To the Light is its +period allotted; but beyond time and space is the empire of the Night. +Eternal is the duration of sleep. Thou holy sleep! bless not too rarely +the Night’s dedicated son in this earth’s daily work! Fools alone +recognise thee not, and know of no sleep beyond the shadow which in that +twilight of the actual Night thou throwest in compassion over us. They +feel thee not in the vine’s golden flood, in the almond-tree’s marvel +oil, and in the brown juice of the manna; they know not that it is thou +that enhaloest the tender maiden’s breast, and makest a heaven of her +bosom; conceive not that out of histories of old thou steppest forth an +opener of heaven, and bearest the key to the abodes of the blessed, the +silent messenger of unending mysteries. + + + +III. + + +ONCE, when I was shedding bitter tears, when my hope streamed away +dissolved in sorrow, and I stood alone beside the barren hill, that +concealed in narrow gloomy space the form of my existence—alone, as never +solitary yet hath been, urged by an agony beyond expression, powerless, +no more than a mere thought of sorrow; as I looked around me there for +aid, could not advance, could not retire, and hung with incessant longing +upon fleeting, failing life;—then came there from the blue distance, from +the heights of my former happiness, a thin veil of the twilight gloom, +and in a moment burst the bondage of the fetters of the birth of light. +Then fled the glories of the earth, and all my sorrow with them; sadness +melted away in a new, an unfathomable world; thou, inspiration of the +Night, slumber of heaven, camest over me; the spot whereon I stood rose +insensibly on high; above the spot soared forth my released and new-born +spirit. The hill became a cloud of dust; through the cloud I beheld the +revealed features of my beloved one. In her eyes eternity reposed; I +grasped her hands, and my tears formed a glittering, inseparable bond. +Ages were swept by like storms into the distance; on her neck I wept +tears of ecstasy for life renewed. It was my first, my only dream; and +from that time I feel an eternal and unchanging faith in the heaven of +the Night, and in its light, the Loved One. + + + +IV. + + +NOW do I know when the last morn will be; when the light shall no more +give alarm to the night and to love; when the slumber shall be without +end, and there shall be but one exhaustless dream. Heavenly weariness do +I feel within me. Long and wearisome had become the pilgrimage to the +holy grave—the cross a burthen. He who hath tasted of the crystal wave +that gushes forth, unknown to common eye, in the dark bosom of that hill, +against whose foot the flood of earthly waves is dashed and broken; he +who hath stood upon the summit of the world’s mountain bounds, and hath +looked beyond them down into that new land, into the abode of Night; he, +well I ween, turns not back into the turmoil of the world—into the land +where the light, and eternal unrest, dwells. + +There, above, does he erect his huts—his huts of peace; there longs and +loves, until comes the most welcome of all hours to draw him down into +that fountain’s source. Upon the surface floats all that is earthly—it +is hurried back by storms; but that which was hallowed by the breath of +love, freely streams it forth, through hidden paths, into that realm +beyond the mountain chain, and there, exhaled as incense, becomes mixed +with loves that have slept. Still, cheerful light, dost thou waken the +weary to his toil, still pourest thou glad life into my breast; but from +the mossy monument that memory has raised, thence canst thou not allure +me. Willingly will I employ my hands in industry and toil; I will look +around me at thy bidding; I will celebrate the full glory of thy +splendour; trace out, untired, the beauteous consistency of thy wondrous +work; willingly will I mark the marvellous course of thy mighty, glowing +timepiece; observe the balance of gigantic powers, and the laws of the +wondrous play of countless spaces and their periods. But true to the +Night remains my heart of hearts, and to creative Love, her daughter. +Canst thou show me a heart for ever faithful? Hath thy sun fond eyes +that know me? Do thy stars clasp my proffered hand? Do they return the +tender pressure, the caressing word? Hast thou clothed her with fair +hues and pleasing outline? Or was it she who gave thine ornament a +higher, dearer meaning? What pleasure, what enjoyment, can thy life +afford, that shall overweigh the ecstasies of death? Bears not +everything that inspires us the colours of the Night? Thee she cherishes +with a mother’s care; to her thou owest all thy majesty. Thou hadst +melted in thyself, hadst been dissolved in endless space, had she not +restrained and encircled thee, so that thou wert warm, and gavest life to +the world. Verily I was, before thou wert: the mother sent me with my +sisters to inhabit thy world, to hallow it with love, so that it might be +gazed on as a memorial for ever, to plant it with unfading flowers. As +yet they have borne no fruit, these godlike thoughts; but few as yet are +the traces of our revelation. The day shall come when thy timepiece +pointeth to the end of time, when thou shalt be even as one of us; and, +filled with longing and ardent love, be blotted out and die. Within my +soul I feel the end of thy distracted power, heavenly freedom, hailed +return. In wild sorrow I recognise thy distance from our home, thy +hostility towards the ancient glorious heaven. In vain are thy tumult +and thy rage. Indestructible remains the cross—a victorious banner of +our race. + + “I wander over, + And every tear + To gem our pleasure + Will then appear. + A few more hours, + And I find my rest + In maddening bliss, + On the loved one’s breast. + Life, never ending, + Swells mighty in me; + I look from above down— + Look back upon thee. + By yonder hillock + Expires thy beam; + And comes with a shadow, + The cooling gleam. + Oh, call me, thou loved one, + With strength from above; + That I may slumber, + And wake to love. + I welcome death’s + Reviving flood; + To balm and to ether + It changes my blood. + I live through each day, + Filled with faith and desire; + And die when the Night comes + In heaven-born fire.” + + + +V. + + +OVER the widely-spreading races of mankind, ruled aforetime an iron +Destiny with silent power. A dark and heavy band was around man’s +anxious soul; without end was the earth; the home of the gods and their +abode. Throughout eternities had her mysterious structure stood. Beyond +the red mountains of the morning, in the holy bosom of the sea, there +dwelt the Sun, the all-inflaming, living light. A hoary giant bare the +sacred world. Securely prisoned, beneath mountains, lay the first sons +of the mother Earth, powerless in their destructive fury against the new +and glorious race of the gods, and their kindred, joyous men. The dark, +green ocean’s depth was the bosom of a goddess. In the crystal grottoes +rioted a voluptuous tribe. Rivers, trees, flowers, and brute beasts had +human understanding. Sweeter was the wine poured forth by youth’s soft +bloom; a god in the vine’s clusters; a loving, a maternal goddess, +shooting forth among the full, golden sheaves; love’s holy flame, a +delicious service to the most beauteous of the goddesses. An ever gay +and joyous festival of heaven’s children and the dwellers upon earth, +life rustled on as a spring, through centuries. All races venerated, +like children, the tender, thousand-fold flame, as the highest of the +world; one thought only was there, one hideous vision of a dream:— + + “That fearful to the joyous tables came, + And the gay soul in wild distraction shrouded. + Here could the gods themselves no counsel frame, + That might console the breast with sorrow clouded. + This monster’s path mysterious, still the same, + Unstilled his rage, though prayers on gifts were crowded. + His name was Death, who with distress of soul, + Anguish and tears, on the hour of pleasure stole. + + For ever now from everything departed + That here can swell the heart with sweet delight, + Torn now from the beloved one, who, sad-hearted, + On earth could but desire and grief excite, + A feeble dream seemed to the dead imparted, + Powerless striving made man’s only right; + And broken was enjoyment’s heaving billow, + Upon the rock of endless care, its pillow. + + With daring mind, as heavenly fancy glows, + Man masks the fearful shape with fair resembling: + His torch put out, a mild youth doth repose; + Soft is the end as the lyre’s mournful trembling. + Remembrance fades i’ the gloom a shadow throws: + So sang the song, a dreadful doom dissembling. + Yet undefined remained eternal Night, + The stern reminder of some distant might.” + +At length the old world bowed its head. The gay gardens of the young +race were withered; beyond into the freer, desert space aspired less +childish and maturing man. The gods then vanished with their train. +Lonely and lifeless, Nature stood. The scanty number and the rigid +measure bound her with fetters of iron. As into dust and air melted the +inconceivable blossoms of life into mysterious words. Fled was the magic +faith, and phantasy the all-changing, all-uniting friend from heaven. +Over the rigid earth, unfriendly, blew a cold north wind, and the +wonder-home, now without life, was lost in ether; the recesses of the +heavens were filled with beaming worlds. Into a holier sphere, into the +mind’s far higher space, did the world draw the soul with its powers, +there to wander until the break of the world’s dawning glory. No longer +was the light the gods’ abode, their token in the heavens: the veil of +the night did they cast over them. The night was the mighty bosom of +revelations; in it the gods returned, and slumbered there, to go forth in +new and in more glorious forms over the altered world. + +Among the people above all despised, too soon matured, and wilful +strangers to the blessed innocence of youth; among them, with features +hitherto unseen, the new world came, in the poet’s hut of poverty, a son +of the first virgin mother, endless fruit of a mysterious embrace. The +boding, budding wisdom of the East first recognised another Time’s +beginning; to the humble cradle of the monarch their star declared the +way. In the name of the distant future, with splendour and with incense, +did they make offering to him, the highest wonder of the world. In +solitude did the heavenly heart unfold to a flowery chalice of almighty +love, bent towards the holy countenance of the father, and resting on the +happily-expectant bosom of the lovely pensive mother. With divine ardour +did the prophetic eye of the blooming child look forth into the days of +the future, towards his beloved, the offspring of the race of God, +careless for his day’s earthly destiny. The most child-like spirits, +wondrously seized with a deep, heart-felt love, collected soon around +him; as flowers, a new and unknown life budded forth upon his path. +Words inexhaustible, the gladdest tidings fell, as sparks from a heavenly +spirit, from his friendly lips. From a distant coast, born under Hellas’ +cheerful sky, a minstrel came to Palestine, and yielded his whole heart +to the wondrous child:— + + “The youth art thou, who for uncounted time, + Upon our graves hast stood with hidden meaning; + In hours of darkness a consoling sign, + Of higher manhood’s joyous, hailed beginning; + That which hath made our soul so long to pine, + Now draws us hence, sweet aspirations winning. + In Death, eternal Life hath been revealed: + And thou art Death, by thee we first are healed.” + +The minstrel wandered, full of joy, towards Hindostan, the heart elated +with the sweetest love, which, beneath yonder heavens, he poured forth in +fiery songs, so that a thousand hearts inclined towards him, and with a +thousand branches grew towards heaven the joyous tidings. Soon after the +minstrel’s departure, the precious life became a sacrifice to the deep +guilt of man: he died in youthful years, torn from the world he loved, +from the weeping mother and lamenting friends. His mouth of love emptied +the dark cup of inexpressible affliction. In fearful anguish approached +the hour of the new world’s birth. Deeply was he touched with the old +world’s fearful death—the weight of the old world fell heavily upon him. +Once more he gazed placidly upon the mother, then came the loosening hand +of eternal love, and he slumbered. Few days only hung a deep veil over +the swelling sea, over the quaking land; the beloved ones wept countless +tears; the mystery was unsealed: the ancient stone heavenly spirits +raised from the dark grave. Angels sat beside the slumberer, tenderly +formed out of his dreams. Awakened in the new glory of a god, he +ascended the height of the new-born world; and with his own hand buried +within the deserted sepulchre the old one’s corpse, and with almighty +hand placed over it the stone no power can raise. + +Yet do thy dear ones weep rich tears of joy, tears of emotion, and of +eternal gratitude beside thy grave; even yet, with glad alarm, do they +behold thee rise, themselves with thee; behold thee weeping, with sweet +feeling, on the happy bosom of thy mother, solemnly walking with thy +friends, speaking words as if broken from the tree of life; see thee +hasten, full of longing, to thy Father’s arms, bringing the young race of +man, and the cup of a golden future, which shall never be exhausted. The +mother soon followed thee in heavenly triumph; she was the first to join +thee in the new home. Long ages have flown by since then, and ever in +yet higher glory hath thy new creation grown, and thousands from out of +pain and misery have, full of faith and longing, followed thee; roam with +thee and the heavenly virgin in the realm of love, serve in the temple of +heavenly Death, and are in eternity thine. + + “Lifted is the stone, + Manhood hath arisen: + Still are we thine own, + Unharmed by bond or prison. + When earth—life—fade away + In the last meal’s solemn gladness, + Around thy cup dare stray + No trace of grief or sadness. + + To the marriage, Death doth call, + The brilliant lamps are lighted; + The virgins come, invited, + And oil is with them all. + Space now to space is telling + How forth thy train hath gone, + The voice of stars is swelling + With human tongue and tone! + + To thee, Maria, hallowed, + A thousand hearts are sent; + In this dark life and shadowed, + On thee their thoughts are bent: + The soul’s releasement seeing + They, longing, seek its rest; + By thee pressed, holy being, + Upon thy faithful breast. + + How many who, once glowing, + Earth’s bitterness have learned, + Their souls with grief o’erflowing, + To thee have sadly turned; + Thou pitying hast appearéd, + In many an hour of pain; + We come to thee now, wearied, + There ever to remain. + + By no cold grave now weepeth + A faithful love, forlorn; + Each still love’s sweet rights keepeth, + From none will they be torn. + To soften his sad longing + Her fires doth Night impart; + From heaven cherubs thronging, + Hold watch upon his heart. + + Content, our life advancing + To a life that shall abide, + Each flame its worth enhancing, + The soul is glorified. + The starry host shall sink then + To bright and living wine, + The golden draught we drink then, + And stars ourselves shall shine. + + Love released, lives woundless, + No separation more; + While life swells free and boundless + As a sea without a shore. + One night of glad elation, + One joy that cannot die, + And the sun of all creation + Is the face of the Most High.” + + + +VI. +LONGING FOR DEATH. + + + BELOW, within the earth’s dark breast, + From realms of light departing, + There sorrow’s pang and sigh oppressed + Is signal of our starting. + In narrow boat we ferry o’er + Speedily to heaven’s shore. + + To us be hallowed endless Night, + Hallowed eternal slumber! + The day hath withered us with light, + And troubles beyond number. + No more ’mong strangers would we roam; + We seek our Father, and our home. + + Upon this world, what do we here, + As faithful, fond, and true men? + The Old but meets with scorn and sneer:— + What care we for the New, then? + Oh, lone is he, and sadly pines, + Who loves with zeal the olden times! + + Those old times when the spirits light + To heaven as flame ascended; + The Father’s hand and features bright + When men yet comprehended; + When many a mortal, lofty-souled, + Yet bore the mark of heavenly mould. + + Those olden times when budded still + The stems of ancient story, + And children, to do Heaven’s will, + In pain and death sought glory; + Those times when life and pleasure spoke, + Yet many a heart with fond love broke. + + Those old times when in fires of youth + Was God himself revealéd, + And early death, in love and truth, + His sweet existence sealéd, + Who put not from him care and pain, + That dear to us he might remain. + + With trembling longing these we see, + By darkness now belated, + In Time’s dominions ne’er will be + Our ardent thirsting sated. + First to our home ’tis need we go, + Seek we these holy times to know. + + And our return what still can stay? + Long have the best-loved slumbered; + Their grave bounds for us life’s drear way, + Our souls with grief are cumbered. + All that we have to seek is gone, + The heart is full—the world is lone. + + Unending, with mysterious flame, + O’er us sweet awe is creeping; + Methought from viewless distance came + An echo to our weeping; + The loved ones long for us on high, + And sent us back their pining sigh. + + Below, to seek the tender bride, + To Jesus, whom we cherish! + Good cheer! lo, greys the even-tide,— + Love’s agonies shall perish.— + A dream—our fetters melt, at rest + We sink upon the Father’s breast. + + * * * * * + + Printed by Cassell & Company, Limited, La Bell Sauvage, London, E.C. + 30,590 + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PETER SCHLEMIHL ETC.*** + + +******* This file should be named 5339-0.txt or 5339-0.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/3/3/5339 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Peter Schlemihl etc. + + +Author: Adelbert Chamisso + +Editor: Henry Morley + +Release Date: July 27, 2014 [eBook #5339] +[This file was first posted on July 2, 2002] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PETER SCHLEMIHL ETC.*** +</pre> +<p>Transcribed from the 1889 Cassell & Company edition by +David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org</p> +<p style="text-align: center"><span +class="GutSmall">CASSELL’S NATIONAL LIBRARY.</span></p> + +<div class="gapshortline"> </div> +<h1><span class="smcap">Peter Schlemihl</span></h1> +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">BY</span><br +/> +ADELBERT CHAMISSO</p> +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="smcap"><b>The Story +without an End</b></span><br /> +<span class="smcap">by</span><br /> +CARODÉ</p> +<p style="text-align: center"><b>HYMNS TO THE NIGHT</b><br /> +<span class="GutSmall">BY</span><br /> +NOVALIS</p> +<p style="text-align: center"> +<a href="images/tpb.jpg"> +<img alt= +"Decorative graphic" +title= +"Decorative graphic" +src="images/tps.jpg" /> +</a></p> +<p style="text-align: center">CASSELL & COMPANY, Limited:<br +/> +<span class="GutSmall">LONDON, PARIS & MELBOURNE</span><br /> +<span class="GutSmall">1889</span></p> +<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> +<p>“<span class="smcap">Peter Schlemihl</span>,” one +of the pleasantest fancies of the days when Germany delighted in +romance, was first published in 1814, and was especially +naturalised in England by association with the genius of George +Cruikshank, who enriched a translation of it with some of his +happiest work as an illustrator. An account of the book and +its author is here reprinted at the end of the tale, as +originally given by the translator. To this account one or +two notes may be added. Louis Charles Adelaide de Chamisso +de Boncourt was born on the 27th of January, 1781, at the +Château of Boncourt, in Champagne, which he made the +subject of one of his most beautiful lyrics. He belonged to +a family faithful to Louis XVI., that fled to Würzburg from +the fury of the French Revolution. Thus he was taken to +Germany a child of nine, and was left there when the family, with +other emigrants, returned to France in 1801. At fifteen he +had Teutonised his name to Adelbert von Chamisso, and was +appointed page to the Queen of Prussia. In the war that +came afterwards, for a very short time he bore arms against the +French, but being one of a garrison taken in the captured fort of +Hamlin, he and his comrades had to pledge their honour that they +would not again bear arms against France during that war. +After the war he visited France. His parents then were +dead, and though he stayed in France some years, he wrote from +France to a friend, “I am German heart and soul, and cannot +feel at home here.” He wandered irresolutely, then +became Professor of Literature in a gymnasium in La +Vendée. Still he was restless. In 1812 he set +off for a walk in Switzerland, returned to Germany, and took to +the study of anatomy. In 1813, Napoleon’s expedition +to Russia and the peril to France from legions marching upon +Paris caused to Chamisso suffering and confusion of mind.</p> +<p>It is often said that his sense of isolation between interests +of the land of his forefathers and the land of his adoption makes +itself felt through all the wild playfulness of “Peter +Schlemihl,” which was at this time written, when +Chamisso’s age was about thirty-two. A letter of his +to the Councillor Trinius, in Petersburg, tells how he came to +write it. He had lost on a pedestrian tour his hat, his +knapsack, his gloves, and his pocket handkerchief—the chief +movables about him. His friend Fouqué asked him +whether he hadn’t also lost his shadow? The friends +pleased their fancies in imagining what would have happened to +him if he had. Not long afterwards he was reading in La +Fontaine of a polite man who drew out of his pocket whatever was +asked for. Chamisso thought, He will be bringing out next a +coach and horses. Out of these hints came the fancy of +“Peter Schlemihl, the Shadowless Man.” In all +thought that goes with invention of a poet, there are depths as +well as shallows, and the reader may get now and then a peep into +the depths. He may find, if he will, in a man’s +shadow that outward expression of himself which shows that he has +been touched, like others, by the light of heaven. But +essentially the story is a poet’s whim. Later +writings of Chamisso proved him to be one of the best lyric poets +of the romance school of his time, entirely German in his tone of +thought. His best poem, “Salas y Gomez,” +describes the feeling of a solitary on a sea-girt rock, living on +eggs of the numberless sea-birds until old age, when a ship is in +sight, and passes him, and his last agony of despair is followed +by a triumph in the strength of God.</p> +<p class="poetry">“Alone and world-forsaken let me die;<br +/> + Thy Grace is all my wealth, for all my loss:<br /> +On my bleached bones out of the southern sky<br /> + Thy Love will look down from the starry +cross.”</p> +<p>The “Story Without an End”—a story of the +endless beauty of Creation—is from a writer who has no name +on the rolls of fame. The little piece has been made famous +among us by the good will of Sarah Austin. The child who +enjoyed it, and for whom she made the delicate translation which +here follows next after Chamisso’s “Peter +Schlemihl,” was that only daughter who became Lady +Duff-Gordon, and with whom we have made acquaintance in this +Library as the translator of “The Amber Witch.”</p> +<p>To make up the tale of pages in this little book without +breaking its uniformity, I have added a translation of the +“Hymns to Night” of Novalis. It is a +translation made by myself seven-and-forty years ago, and printed +in a student’s magazine that I then edited. +“Novalis” was the name assumed by a poet, Friedrich +von Hardenberg, who died on the 25th March, 1801, aged +twenty-nine. He was bred among the Moravian brethren, and +then sent to the University of Jena. Two years after his +marriage to a young wife, Sophie von Kühn, she died. +That was in 1797. At the same time he lost a brother who +was very dear to him. It was then—four years before +his own death—that he wrote his “Hymns to +Night.”</p> +<p style="text-align: right">H. M.</p> +<h2>INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE<br /> +<span class="GutSmall">FROM</span><br /> +<span class="GutSmall">A. VON CHAMISSO TO JULIUS EDWARD +HITZIG.</span></h2> +<p><span class="smcap">You</span>, who forget nobody, must surely +remember one Peter Schlemihl, whom you used to meet occasionally +at my house—a long-legged youth, who was considered stupid +and lazy, on account of his awkward and careless air. I was +sincerely attached to him. You cannot have forgotten him, +Edward. He was on one occasion the hero of our rhymes, in +the hey-day of our youthful spirits; and I recollect taking him +one evening to a poetical tea-party, where he fell asleep while I +was writing, without even waiting to hear my effusion: and this +reminds me of a witticism of yours respecting him. You had +already seen him, I know not where or when, in an old black +frock-coat, which, indeed, he constantly wore; and you said, +“He would be a lucky fellow if his soul were half as +immortal as his coat,” so little opinion had you of +him. <i>I</i> loved him, however: and to this very +Schlemihl, of whom for many years I had wholly lost sight, I am +indebted for the little volume which I communicate to you, +Edward, my most intimate friend, my second self, from whom I have +no secrets;—to you, and of course our Fouqué, I +commit them, who like you is intimately entwined about my dearest +affections,—to him I communicate them only as a friend, but +not as a poet; for you can easily imagine how unpleasant it would +be if a secret confided to me by an honest man, relying +implicitly on my friendship and honour, were to be exposed to the +public in a poem.</p> +<p>One word more as to the manner in which I obtained these +sheets: yesterday morning early, as soon as I was up, they were +brought to me. An extraordinary-looking man, with a long +grey beard, and wearing an old black frock-coat with a botanical +case hanging at his side, and slippers over his boots, in the +damp, rainy weather, had just been inquiring for me, and left me +these papers, saying he came from Berlin.</p> +<p style="text-align: right"><span class="smcap">Adelbert von +Chamisso</span>.</p> +<h2><span class="smcap">Peter Schlemihl</span>,<br /> +<span class="GutSmall"><i>THE SHADOWLESS MAN</i></span><span +class="GutSmall">.</span></h2> +<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">After</span> a prosperous, but to me very +wearisome, voyage, we came at last into port. Immediately +on landing I got together my few effects; and, squeezing myself +through the crowd, went into the nearest and humblest inn which +first met my gaze. On asking for a room the waiter looked +at me from head to foot, and conducted me to one. I asked +for some cold water, and for the correct address of Mr. Thomas +John, which was described as being “by the north gate, the +first country-house to the right, a large new house of red and +white marble, with many pillars.” This was +enough. As the day was not yet far advanced, I untied my +bundle, took out my newly-turned black coat, dressed myself in my +best clothes, and, with my letter of recommendation, set out for +the man who was to assist me in the attainment of my moderate +wishes.</p> +<p>After proceeding up the north street, I reached the gate, and +saw the marble columns glittering through the trees. Having +wiped the dust from my shoes with my pocket-handkerchief and +readjusted my cravat, I rang the bell—offering up at the +same time a silent prayer. The door flew open, and the +porter sent in my name. I had soon the honour to be invited +into the park, where Mr. John was walking with a few +friends. I recognised him at once by his corpulency and +self-complacent air. He received me very well—just as +a rich man receives a poor devil; and turning to me, took my +letter. “Oh, from my brother! it is a long time since +I heard from him: is he well?—Yonder,” he went +on,—turning to the company, and pointing to a distant +hill—“Yonder is the site of the new +building.” He broke the seal without discontinuing +the conversation, which turned upon riches. “The +man,” he said, “who does not possess at least a +million is a poor wretch.” “Oh, how +true!” I exclaimed, in the fulness of my heart. He +seemed pleased at this, and replied with a smile, “Stop +here, my dear friend; afterwards I shall, perhaps, have time to +tell you what I think of this,” pointing to the letter, +which he then put into his pocket, and turned round to the +company, offering his arm to a young lady: his example was +followed by the other gentlemen, each politely escorting a lady; +and the whole party proceeded towards a little hill thickly +planted with blooming roses.</p> +<p>I followed without troubling any one, for none took the least +further notice of me. The party was in high +spirits—lounging about and jesting—speaking sometimes +of trifling matters very seriously, and of serious matters as +triflingly—and exercising their wit in particular to great +advantage on their absent friends and their affairs. I was +too ignorant of what they were talking about to understand much +of it, and too anxious and absorbed in my own reflections to +occupy myself with the solution of such enigmas as their +conversation presented.</p> +<p>By this time we had reached the thicket of roses. The +lovely Fanny, who seemed to be the queen of the day, was +obstinately bent on plucking a rose-branch for herself, and in +the attempt pricked her finger with a thorn. The crimson +stream, as if flowing from the dark-tinted rose, tinged her fair +hand with the purple current. This circumstance set the +whole company in commotion; and court-plaster was called +for. A quiet, elderly man, tall, and meagre-looking, who +was one of the company, but whom I had not before observed, +immediately put his hand into the tight breast-pocket of his +old-fashioned coat of grey sarsnet, pulled out a small +letter-case, opened it, and, with a most respectful bow, +presented the lady with the wished-for article. She +received it without noticing the giver, or thanking him. +The wound was bound up, and the party proceeded along the hill +towards the back part, from which they enjoyed an extensive view +across the green labyrinth of the park to the wide-spreading +ocean. The view was truly a magnificent one. A slight +speck was observed on the horizon, between the dark flood and the +azure sky. “A telescope!” called out Mr. John; +but before any of the servants could answer the summons the grey +man, with a modest bow, drew his hand from his pocket, and +presented a beautiful Dollond’s telescope to Mr. John, who, +on looking through it, informed the company that the speck in the +distance was the ship which had sailed yesterday, and which was +detained within sight of the haven by contrary winds. The +telescope passed from hand to hand, but was not returned to the +owner, whom I gazed at with astonishment, and could not conceive +how so large an instrument could have proceeded from so small a +pocket. This, however, seemed to excite surprise in no one; +and the grey man appeared to create as little interest as +myself.</p> +<p>Refreshments were now brought forward, consisting of the +rarest fruits from all parts of the world, served up in the most +costly dishes. Mr. John did the honours with unaffected +grace, and addressed me for the second time, saying, “You +had better eat; you did not get such things at sea.” +I acknowledged his politeness with a bow, which, however, he did +not perceive, having turned round to speak with some one +else.</p> +<p>The party would willingly have stopped some time here on the +declivity of the hill, to enjoy the extensive prospect before +them, had they not been apprehensive of the dampness of the +grass. “How delightful it would be,” exclaimed +some one, “if we had a Turkey carpet to lay down +here!” The wish was scarcely expressed when the man +in the grey coat put his hand in his pocket, and, with a modest +and even humble air, pulled out a rich Turkey carpet, embroidered +in gold. The servant received it as a matter of course, and +spread it out on the desired spot; and, without any ceremony, the +company seated themselves on it. Confounded by what I saw, +I gazed again at the man, his pocket, and the carpet, which was +more than twenty feet in length and ten in breadth; and rubbed my +eyes, not knowing what to think, particularly as no one saw +anything extraordinary in the matter.</p> +<p>I would gladly have made some inquiries respecting the man, +and asked who he was, but knew not to whom I should address +myself, for I felt almost more afraid of the servants than of +their master. At length I took courage, and stepping up to +a young man who seemed of less consequence than the others, and +who was more frequently standing by himself, I begged of him, in +a low tone, to tell me who the obliging gentleman was in the grey +cloak. “That man who looks like a piece of thread +just escaped from a tailor’s needle?” +“Yes; he who is standing alone yonder.” +“I do not know,” was the reply; and to avoid, as it +seemed, any further conversation with me, he turned away, and +spoke of some common-place matters with a neighbour.</p> +<p>The sun’s rays now being stronger, the ladies complained +of feeling oppressed by the heat; and the lovely Fanny, turning +carelessly to the grey man, to whom I had not yet observed that +any one had addressed the most trifling question, asked him if, +perhaps, he had not a tent about him. He replied, with a +low bow, as if some unmerited honour had been conferred upon him; +and, putting his hand in his pocket, drew from it canvas, poles, +cord, iron—in short, everything belonging to the most +splendid tent for a party of pleasure. The young gentlemen +assisted in pitching it: and it covered the whole carpet: but no +one seemed to think that there was anything extraordinary in +it.</p> +<p>I had long secretly felt uneasy—indeed, almost +horrified; but how was this feeling increased when, at the next +wish expressed, I saw him take from his pocket three +horses! Yes, Adelbert, three large beautiful steeds, with +saddles and bridles, out of the very pocket whence had already +issued a letter-case, a telescope, a carpet twenty feet broad and +ten in length, and a pavilion of the same extent, with all its +appurtenances! Did I not assure thee that my own eyes had +seen all this, thou wouldst certainly disbelieve it.</p> +<p>This man, although he appeared so humble and embarrassed in +his air and manners, and passed so unheeded, had inspired me with +such a feeling of horror by the unearthly paleness of his +countenance, from which I could not avert my eyes, that I was +unable longer to endure it.</p> +<p>I determined, therefore, to steal away from the company, which +appeared no difficult matter, from the undistinguished part I +acted in it. I resolved to return to the town, and pay +another visit to Mr. John the following morning, and, at the same +time, make some inquiries of him relative to the extraordinary +man in grey, provided I could command sufficient courage. +Would to Heaven that such good fortune had awaited me!</p> +<p>I had stolen safely down the hill, through the thicket of +roses, and now found myself on an open plain; but fearing lest I +should be met out of the proper path, crossing the grass, I cast +an inquisitive glance around, and started as I beheld the man in +the grey cloak advancing towards me. He took off his hat, +and made me a lower bow than mortal had ever yet favoured me +with. It was evident that he wished to address me; and I +could not avoid encountering him without seeming rude. I +returned his salutation, therefore, and stood bareheaded in the +sunshine as if rooted to the ground. I gazed at him with +the utmost horror, and felt like a bird fascinated by a +serpent.</p> +<p>He affected himself to have an air of embarrassment. +With his eyes on the ground, he bowed several times, drew nearer, +and at last, without looking up, addressed me in a low and +hesitating voice, almost in the tone of a suppliant: “Will +you, sir, excuse my importunity in venturing to intrude upon you +in so unusual a manner? I have a request to +make—would you most graciously be pleased to allow +me—!” “Hold! for Heaven’s +sake!” I exclaimed; “what can I do for a man +who”—I stopped in some confusion, which he seemed to +share. After a moment’s pause, he resumed: +“During the short time I have had the pleasure to be in +your company, I have—permit me, sir, to say—beheld +with unspeakable admiration your most beautiful shadow, and +remarked the air of noble indifference with which you, at the +same time, turn from the glorious picture at your feet, as if +disdaining to vouchsafe a glance at it. Excuse the boldness +of my proposal; but perhaps you would have no objection to sell +me your shadow?” He stopped, while my head turned +round like a mill-wheel. What was I to think of so +extraordinary a proposal? To sell my shadow! +“He must be mad,” thought I; and assuming a tone more +in character with the submissiveness of his own, I replied, +“My good friend, are you not content with your own +shadow? This would be a bargain of a strange nature +indeed!”</p> +<p>“I have in my pocket,” he said, “many things +which may possess some value in your eyes: for that inestimable +shadow I should deem the highest price too little.”</p> +<p>A cold shuddering came over me as I recollected the pocket; +and I could not conceive what had induced me to style him +“<i>good friend</i>,” which I took care not to +repeat, endeavouring to make up for it by a studied +politeness.</p> +<p>I now resumed the conversation:—“But, +Sir—excuse your humble servant—I am at a loss to +comprehend your meaning,—my shadow?—how can +I?”</p> +<p>“Permit me,” he exclaimed, interrupting me, +“to gather up the noble image as it lies on the ground, and +to take it into my possession. As to the manner of +accomplishing it, leave that to me. In return, and as an +evidence of my gratitude, I shall leave you to choose among all +the treasures I have in my pocket, among which are a variety of +enchanting articles, not exactly adapted for you, who, I am sure, +would like better to have the wishing-cap of Fortunatus, all made +new and sound again, and a lucky purse which also belonged to +him.”</p> +<p>“Fortunatus’s purse!” cried I; and, great as +was my mental anguish, with that one word he had penetrated the +deepest recesses of my soul. A feeling of giddiness came +over me, and double ducats glittered before my eyes.</p> +<p>“Be pleased, gracious sir, to examine this purse, and +make a trial of its contents.” He put his hand in his +pocket, and drew forth a large strongly stitched bag of stout +Cordovan leather, with a couple of strings to match, and +presented it to me. I seized it—took out ten gold +pieces, then ten more, and this I repeated again and again. +Instantly I held out my hand to him. “Done,” +said I; “the bargain is made: my shadow for the +purse.” “Agreed,” he answered; and, +immediately kneeling down, I beheld him, with extraordinary +dexterity, gently loosen my shadow from the grass, lift it up, +fold it together, and, at last put it in his pocket. He +then rose, bowed once more to me, and directed his steps towards +the rose bushes. I fancied I heard him quietly laughing to +himself. However, I held the purse fast by the two +strings. The earth was basking beneath the brightness of +the sun; but I presently lost all consciousness.</p> +<p>On recovering my senses, I hastened to quit a place where I +hoped there was nothing further to detain me. I first +filled my pockets with gold, then fastened the strings of the +purse round my neck, and concealed it in my bosom. I passed +unnoticed out of the park, gained the high road, and took the way +to the town. As I was thoughtfully approaching the gate, I +heard some one behind me exclaiming, “Young man! young man! +you have lost your shadow!” I turned, and perceived +an old woman calling after me. “Thank you, my good +woman,” said I; and throwing her a piece of gold for her +well-intended information, I stepped under the trees. At +the gate, again, it was my fate to hear the sentry inquiring +where the gentleman had left his shadow; and immediately I heard +a couple of women exclaiming, “Jesu Maria! the poor man has +no shadow.” All this began to depress me, and I +carefully avoided walking in the sun; but this could not +everywhere be the case: for in the next broad street I had to +cross, and, unfortunately for me, at the very hour in which the +boys were coming out of school, a humpbacked lout of a +fellow—I see him yet—soon made the discovery that I +was without a shadow, and communicated the news, with loud +outcries, to a knot of young urchins. The whole swarm +proceeded immediately to reconnoitre me, and to pelt me with +mud. “People,” cried they, “are generally +accustomed to take their shadows with them when they walk in the +sunshine.”</p> +<p>In order to drive them away I threw gold by handfuls among +them, and sprang into a hackney-coach which some compassionate +spectators sent to my rescue.</p> +<p>As soon as I found myself alone in the rolling vehicle I began +to weep bitterly. I had by this time a misgiving that, in +the same degree in which gold in this world prevails over merit +and virtue, by so much one’s shadow excels gold; and now +that I had sacrificed my conscience for riches, and given my +shadow in exchange for mere gold, what on earth would become of +me?</p> +<p>As the coach stopped at the door of my late inn, I felt much +perplexed, and not at all disposed to enter so wretched an +abode. I called for my things, and received them with an +air of contempt, threw down a few gold pieces, and desired to be +conducted to a first-rate hotel. This house had a northern +aspect, so that I had nothing to fear from the sun. I +dismissed the coachman with gold; asked to be conducted to the +best apartment, and locked myself up in it as soon as +possible.</p> +<p>Imagine, my friend, what I then set about? O my dear +Chamisso! even to thee I blush to mention what follows.</p> +<p>I drew the ill-fated purse from my bosom; and, in a sort of +frenzy that raged like a self-fed fire within me, I took out +gold—gold—gold—more and more, till I strewed it +on the floor, trampled upon it, and feasting on its very sound +and brilliancy, added coins to coins, rolling and revelling on +the gorgeous bed, until I sank exhausted.</p> +<p>Thus passed away that day and evening; and as my door remained +locked, night found me still lying on the gold, where, at last, +sleep overpowered me.</p> +<p>Then I dreamed of thee, and fancied I stood behind the glass +door of thy little room, and saw thee seated at thy table between +a skeleton and a bunch of dried plants; before thee lay open the +works of Haller, Humboldt, and Linnæus; on thy sofa a +volume of Goethe, and the Enchanted Ring. I stood a long +time contemplating thee, and everything in thy apartment; and +again turning my gaze upon thee, I perceived that thou wast +motionless—thou didst not breathe—thou wast dead.</p> +<p>I awoke—it seemed yet early—my watch had +stopped. I felt thirsty, faint, and worn out; for since the +preceding morning I had not tasted food. I now cast from +me, with loathing and disgust, the very gold with which but a +short time before I had satiated my foolish heart. Now I +knew not where to put it—I dared not leave it lying +there. I examined my purse to see if it would hold +it,—impossible! Neither of my windows opened on the +sea. I had no other resource but, with toil and great +fatigue, to drag it to a huge chest which stood in a closet in my +room; where I placed it all, with the exception of a handful or +two. Then I threw myself, exhausted, into an arm-chair, +till the people of the house should be up and stirring. As +soon as possible I sent for some refreshment, and desired to see +the landlord.</p> +<p>I entered into some conversation with this man respecting the +arrangement of my future establishment. He recommended for +my personal attendant one Bendel, whose honest and intelligent +countenance immediately prepossessed me in his favour. It +is this individual whose persevering attachment has consoled me +in all the miseries of my life, and enabled me to bear up under +my wretched lot. I was occupied the whole day in my room +with servants in want of a situation, and tradesmen of every +description. I decided on my future plans, and purchased +various articles of vertu and splendid jewels, in order to get +rid of some of my gold; but nothing seemed to diminish the +inexhaustible heap.</p> +<p>I now reflected on my situation with the utmost +uneasiness. I dared not take a single step beyond my own +door; and in the evening I had forty wax tapers lighted before I +ventured to leave the shade. I reflected with horror on the +frightful encounter with the school-boys; yet I resolved, if I +could command sufficient courage, to put the public opinion to a +second trial. The nights were now moonlight. Late in +the evening I wrapped myself in a large cloak, pulled my hat over +my eyes, and, trembling like a criminal, stole out of the +house.</p> +<p>I did not venture to leave the friendly shadow of the houses +until I had reached a distant part of the town; and then I +emerged into the broad moonlight, fully prepared to hear my fate +from the lips of the passers-by.</p> +<p>Spare me, my beloved friend, the painful recital of all that I +was doomed to endure. The women often expressed the deepest +sympathy for me—a sympathy not less piercing to my soul +than the scoffs of the young people, and the proud contempt of +the men, particularly of the more corpulent, who threw an ample +shadow before them. A fair and beauteous maiden, apparently +accompanied by her parents, who gravely kept looking straight +before them, chanced to cast a beaming glance on me; but was +evidently startled at perceiving that I was without a shadow, and +hiding her lovely face in her veil, and holding down her head, +passed silently on.</p> +<p>This was past all endurance. Tears streamed from my +eyes; and with a heart pierced through and through, I once more +took refuge in the shade. I leant on the houses for +support, and reached home at a late hour, worn out with +fatigue.</p> +<p>I passed a sleepless night. My first care the following +morning was, to devise some means of discovering the man in the +grey cloak. Perhaps I may succeed in finding him; and how +fortunate it were if he should be as ill satisfied with his +bargain as I am with mine!</p> +<p>I desired Bendel to be sent for, who seemed to possess some +tact and ability. I minutely described to him the +individual who possessed a treasure without which life itself was +rendered a burden to me. I mentioned the time and place at +which I had seen him, named all the persons who were present, and +concluded with the following directions:—He was to inquire +for a Dollond’s telescope, a Turkey carpet interwoven with +gold, a marquee, and, finally, for some black steeds—the +history, without entering into particulars, of all these being +singularly connected with the mysterious character who seemed to +pass unnoticed by every one, but whose appearance had destroyed +the peace and happiness of my life.</p> +<p>As I spoke I produced as much gold as I could hold in my two +hands, and added jewels and precious stones of still greater +value. “Bendel,” said I, “this smooths +many a path, and renders that easy which seems almost +impossible. Be not sparing of it, for I am not so; but go, +and rejoice thy master with intelligence on which depend all his +hopes.”</p> +<p>He departed, and returned late and melancholy.</p> +<p>None of Mr. John’s servants, none of his guests (and +Bendel had spoken to them all) had the slightest recollection of +the man in the grey cloak.</p> +<p>The new telescope was still there, but no one knew how it had +come; and the tent and Turkey carpet were still stretched out on +the hill. The servants boasted of their master’s +wealth; but no one seemed to know by what means he had become +possessed of these newly acquired luxuries. He was +gratified; and it gave him no concern to be ignorant how they had +come to him. The black coursers which had been mounted on +that day were in the stables of the young gentlemen of the party, +who admired them as the munificent present of Mr. John.</p> +<p>Such was the information I gained from Bendel’s detailed +account; but, in spite of this unsatisfactory result, his zeal +and prudence deserved and received my commendation. In a +gloomy mood, I made him a sign to withdraw.</p> +<p>“I have, sir,” he continued, “laid before +you all the information in my power relative to the subject of +the most importance to you. I have now a message to deliver +which I received early this morning from a person at the gate, as +I was proceeding to execute the commission in which I have so +unfortunately failed. The man’s words were precisely +these: ‘Tell your master, Peter Schlemihl, he will not see +me here again. I am going to cross the sea; a favourable +wind now calls all the passengers on board; but, in a year and a +day I shall have the honour of paying him a visit; when, in all +probability, I shall have a proposal to make to him of a very +agreeable nature. Commend me to him most respectfully, with +many thanks.’ I inquired his name; but he said you +would remember him.”</p> +<p>“What sort of person was he?” cried I, in great +emotion; and Bendel described the man in the grey coat feature by +feature, word for word; in short, the very individual in search +of whom he had been sent. “How unfortunate!” +cried I bitterly; “it was himself.” Scales, as +it were, fell from Bendel’s eyes. “Yes, it was +he,” cried he, “undoubtedly it was he; and fool, +madman, that I was, I did not recognise him—I did not, and +have betrayed my master!” He then broke out into a +torrent of self-reproach; and his distress really excited my +compassion. I endeavoured to console him, repeatedly +assuring him that I entertained no doubt of his fidelity; and +despatched him immediately to the wharf, to discover, if +possible, some trace of the extraordinary being. But on +that very morning many vessels which had been detained in port by +contrary winds had set sail, all bound to different parts of the +globe; and the grey man had disappeared like a shadow.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">Of</span> what use were wings to a man +fast bound in chains of iron? They would but increase the +horror of his despair. Like the dragon guarding his +treasure, I remained cut off from all human intercourse, and +starving amidst my very gold, for it gave me no pleasure: I +anathematised it as the source of all my wretchedness.</p> +<p>Sole depository of my fearful secret, I trembled before the +meanest of my attendants, whom, at the same time, I envied; for +he possessed a shadow, and could venture to go out in the +daytime; while I shut myself up in my room day and night, and +indulged in all the bitterness of grief.</p> +<p>One individual, however, was daily pining away before my +eyes—my faithful Bendel, who was the victim of silent +self-reproach, tormenting himself with the idea that he had +betrayed the confidence reposed in him by a good master, in +failing to recognise the individual in quest of whom he had been +sent, and with whom he had been led to believe that my melancholy +fate was closely connected. Still, I had nothing to accuse +him with, as I recognised in the occurrence the mysterious +character of the unknown.</p> +<p>In order to leave no means untried, I one day despatched +Bendel with a costly ring to the most celebrated artist in the +town, desiring him to wait upon me. He came; and, +dismissing the attendants, I secured the door, placing myself +opposite to him, and, after extolling his art, with a heavy heart +came to the point, first enjoining the strictest secrecy.</p> +<p>“For a person,” said I, “who most +unfortunately has lost his shadow, could you paint a false +one?”</p> +<p>“Do you speak of the natural shadow?”</p> +<p>“Precisely so.”</p> +<p>“But,” he asked, “by what awkward negligence +can a man have lost his shadow?”</p> +<p>“How it occurred,” I answered, “is of no +consequence; but it was in this manner”—(and here I +uttered an unblushing falsehood)—“he was travelling +in Russia last winter, and one bitterly cold day it froze so +intensely, that his shadow remained so fixed to the ground, that +it was found impossible to remove it.”</p> +<p>“The false shadow that I might paint,” said the +artist, “would be liable to be lost on the slightest +movement, particularly in a person who, from your account, cares +so little about his shadow. A person without a shadow +should keep out of the sun, that is the only safe and rational +plan.”</p> +<p>He rose and took his leave, casting so penetrating a look at +me that I shrunk from it. I sank back in my chair, and hid +my face in my hands.</p> +<p>In this attitude Bendel found me, and was about to withdraw +silently and respectfully on seeing me in such a state of grief: +looking up, overwhelmed with my sorrows, I felt that I must +communicate them to him. “Bendel,” I exclaimed, +“Bendel, thou the only being who seest and respectest my +grief too much to inquire into its cause—thou who seemest +silently and sincerely to sympathise with me—come and share +my confidence. The extent of my wealth I have not withheld +from thee, neither will I conceal from thee the extent of my +grief. Bendel! forsake me not. Bendel, you see me +rich, free, beneficent; you fancy all the world in my power; yet +you must have observed that I shun it, and avoid all human +intercourse. You think, Bendel, that the world and I are at +variance; and you yourself, perhaps, will abandon me, when I +acquaint you with this fearful secret. Bendel, I am rich, +free, generous; but, O God, I have <i>no shadow</i>!”</p> +<p>“No shadow!” exclaimed the faithful young man, +tears starting from his eyes. “Alas! that I am born +to serve a master without a shadow!” He was silent, +and again I hid my face in my hands.</p> +<p>“Bendel,” at last I tremblingly resumed, +“you have now my confidence; you may betray +me—go—bear witness against me!”</p> +<p>He seemed to be agitated with conflicting feelings; at last he +threw himself at my feet and seized my hand, which he bathed with +his tears. “No,” he exclaimed; “whatever +the world may say, I neither can nor will forsake my excellent +master because he has lost his shadow. I will rather do +what is right than what may seem prudent. I will remain +with you—I will shade you with my own shadow—I will +assist you when I can—and when I cannot, I will weep with +you.”</p> +<p>I fell upon his neck, astonished at sentiments so unusual; for +it was very evident that he was not prompted by the love of +money.</p> +<p>My mode of life and my fate now became somewhat +different. It is incredible with what provident foresight +Bendel contrived to conceal my deficiency. Everywhere he +was before me and with me, providing against every contingency, +and in cases of unlooked-for danger, flying to shield me with his +own shadow, for he was taller and stouter than myself. Thus +I once more ventured among mankind, and began to take a part in +worldly affairs. I was compelled, indeed, to affect certain +peculiarities and whims; but in a rich man they seem only +appropriate; and so long as the truth was kept concealed I +enjoyed all the honour and respect which gold could procure.</p> +<p>I now looked forward with more composure to the promised visit +of the mysterious unknown at the expiration of the year and a +day.</p> +<p>I was very sensible that I could not venture to remain long in +a place where I had once been seen without a shadow, and where I +might easily be betrayed; and perhaps, too, I recollected my +first introduction to Mr. John, and this was by no means a +pleasing reminiscence. However, I wished just to make a +trial here, that I might with greater ease and security visit +some other place. But my vanity for some time withheld me, +for it is in this quality of our race that the anchor takes the +firmest hold.</p> +<p>Even the lovely Fanny, whom I again met in several places, +without her seeming to recollect that she had ever seen me +before, bestowed some notice on me; for wit and understanding +were mine in abundance now. When I spoke, I was listened +to; and I was at a loss to know how I had so easily acquired the +art of commanding attention, and giving the tone to the +conversation.</p> +<p>The impression which I perceived I had made upon this fair one +completely turned my brain; and this was just what she +wished. After that, I pursued her with infinite pains +through every obstacle. My vanity was only intent on +exciting hers to make a conquest of me; but although the +intoxication disturbed my head, it failed to make the least +impression on my heart.</p> +<p>But why detail to you the oft-repeated story which I have so +often heard from yourself?</p> +<p>However, in the old and well-known drama in which I played so +worn-out a part a catastrophe occurred of quite a peculiar +nature, in a manner equally unexpected to her, to me, and to +everybody.</p> +<p>One beautiful evening I had, according to my usual custom, +assembled a party in a garden, and was walking arm-in-arm with +Fanny at a little distance from the rest of the company, and +pouring into her ear the usual well-turned phrases, while she was +demurely gazing on vacancy, and now and then gently returning the +pressure of my hand. The moon suddenly emerged from behind +a cloud at our back. Fanny perceived only her own shadow +before us. She started, looked at me with terror, and then +again on the ground, in search of my shadow. All that was +passing in her mind was so strangely depicted in her countenance, +that I should have burst into a loud fit of laughter had I not +suddenly felt my blood run cold within me. I suffered her +to fall from my arm in a fainting-fit; shot with the rapidity of +an arrow through the astonished guests, reached the gate, threw +myself into the first conveyance I met with, and returned to the +town, where this time, unfortunately, I had left the wary +Bendel. He was alarmed on seeing me: one word explained +all. Post-horses were immediately procured. I took +with me none of my servants, one cunning knave only excepted, +called Rascal, who had by his adroitness become very serviceable +to me, and who at present knew nothing of what had +occurred—I travelled thirty leagues that night; having left +Bendel behind to discharge my servants, pay my debts, and bring +me all that was necessary.</p> +<p>When he came up with me next day, I threw myself into his +arms, vowing to avoid such follies and to be more careful for the +future.</p> +<p>We pursued our journey uninterruptedly over the frontiers and +mountains; and it was not until I had placed this lofty barrier +between myself and the before-mentioned unlucky town that I was +persuaded to recruit myself after my fatigues in a neighbouring +and little-frequented watering-place.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>I must now pass rapidly over one period of my history, on +which how gladly would I dwell, could I conjure up your lively +powers of delineation! But the vivid hues which are at your +command, and which alone can give life and animation to the +picture, have left no trace within me; and were I now to +endeavour to recall the joys, the griefs, the pure and enchanting +emotions, which once held such powerful dominion in my breast, it +would be like striking a rock which yields no longer the living +spring, and whose spirit has fled for ever. With what an +altered aspect do those bygone days now present themselves to my +gaze!</p> +<p>In this watering-place I acted an heroic character, badly +studied; and being a novice on such a stage, I forgot my part +before a pair of lovely blue eyes.</p> +<p>All possible means were used by the infatuated parents to +conclude the bargain; and deception put an end to these usual +artifices. And that is all—all.</p> +<p>The powerful emotions which once swelled my bosom seem now in +the retrospect to be poor and insipid, nay, even terrible to +me.</p> +<p>Alas, Minna! as I wept for thee the day I lost thee, so do I +now weep that I can no longer retrace thine image in my soul.</p> +<p>Am I, then, so far advanced into the vale of years? O +fatal effects of maturity! would that I could feel one throb, one +emotion of former days of enchantment—alas, not one! a +solitary being, tossed on the wild ocean of life—it is long +since I drained thine enchanted cup to the dregs!</p> +<p>But to return to my narrative. I had sent Bendel to the +little town with plenty of money to procure me a suitable +habitation. He spent my gold profusely; and as he expressed +himself rather reservedly concerning his distinguished master +(for I did not wish to be named), the good people began to form +rather extraordinary conjectures.</p> +<p>As soon as my house was ready for my reception, Bendel +returned to conduct me to it. We set out on our +journey. About a league from the town, on a sunny plain, we +were stopped by a crowd of people, arrayed in holiday attire for +some festival. The carriage stopped. Music, bells, +cannons, were heard; and loud acclamations rang through the +air.</p> +<p>Before the carriage now appeared in white dresses a chorus of +maidens, all of extraordinary beauty; but one of them shone in +resplendent loveliness, and eclipsed the rest as the sun eclipses +the stars of night. She advanced from the midst of her +companions, and, with a lofty yet winning air, blushingly knelt +before me, presenting on a silken cushion a wreath, composed of +laurel branches, the olive, and the rose, saying something +respecting majesty, love, honour, &c., which I could not +comprehend; but the sweet and silvery magic of her tones +intoxicated my senses and my whole soul: it seemed as if some +heavenly apparition were hovering over me. The chorus now +began to sing the praises of a good sovereign, and the happiness +of his subjects. All this, dear Chamisso, took place in the +sun: she was kneeling two steps from me, and I, without a shadow, +could not dart through the air, nor fall on my knees before the +angelic being. Oh, what would I not now have given for a +shadow! To conceal my shame, agony, and despair, I buried +myself in the recesses of the carriage. Bendel at last +thought of an expedient; he jumped out of the carriage. I +called him back, and gave him out of the casket I had by me a +rich diamond coronet, which had been intended for the lovely +Fanny.</p> +<p>He stepped forward, and spoke in the name of his master, who, +he said, was overwhelmed by so many demonstrations of respect, +which he really could not accept as an honour—there must be +some error; nevertheless he begged to express his thanks for the +goodwill of the worthy townspeople. In the meantime Bendel +had taken the wreath from the cushion, and laid the brilliant +crown in its place. He then respectfully raised the lovely +girl from the ground; and, at one sign, the clergy, magistrates, +and all the deputations withdrew. The crowd separated to +allow the horses to pass, and we pursued our way to the town at +full gallop, through arches ornamented with flowers and branches +of laurel. Salvos of artillery again were heard. The +carriage stopped at my gate; I hastened through the crowd which +curiosity had attracted to witness my arrival. Enthusiastic +shouts resounded under my windows, from whence I showered gold +amidst the people; and in the evening the whole town was +illuminated. Still all remained a mystery to me, and I +could not imagine for whom I had been taken. I sent Rascal +out to make inquiry; and he soon obtained intelligence that the +good King of Prussia was travelling through the country under the +name of some count; that my <i>aide-de-camp</i> had been +recognised, and that he had divulged the secret; that on +acquiring the certainty that I would enter their town, their joy +had known no bounds: however, as they perceived I was determined +on preserving the strictest <i>incognito</i>, they felt how wrong +they had been in too importunately seeking to withdraw the veil; +but I had received them so condescendingly and so graciously, +that they were sure I would forgive them. The whole affair +was such capital amusement to the unprincipled Rascal, that he +did his best to confirm the good people in their belief, while +affecting to reprove them. He gave me a very comical +account of the matter; and, seeing that I was amused by it, +actually endeavoured to make a merit of his impudence.</p> +<p>Shall I own the truth? My vanity was flattered by having +been mistaken for our revered sovereign. I ordered a +banquet to be got ready for the following evening, under the +trees before my house, and invited the whole town. The +mysterious power of my purse, Bendel’s exertions, and +Rascal’s ready invention, made the shortness of the time +seem as nothing.</p> +<p>It was really astonishing how magnificently and beautifully +everything was arranged in these few hours. Splendour and +abundance vied with each other, and the lights were so carefully +arranged that I felt quite safe: the zeal of my servants met +every exigency and merited all praise.</p> +<p>Evening drew on, the guests arrived, and were presented to +me. The word <i>majesty</i> was now dropped; but, with the +deepest respect and humility, I was addressed as the +<i>count</i>. What could I do? I accepted the title, +and from that moment I was known as Count Peter. In the +midst of all this festivity my soul pined for one +individual. She came late—she who was the empress of +the scene, and wore the emblem of sovereignty on her brow.</p> +<p>She modestly accompanied her parents, and seemed unconscious +of her transcendent beauty.</p> +<p>The Ranger of the Forests, his wife, and daughter, were +presented to me. I was at no loss to make myself agreeable +to the parents; but before the daughter I stood like a +well-scolded schoolboy, incapable of speaking a single word.</p> +<p>At length I hesitatingly entreated her to honour my banquet by +presiding at it—an office for which her rare endowments +pointed her out as admirably fitted. With a blush and an +expressive glance she entreated to be excused; but, in still +greater confusion than herself, I respectfully begged her to +accept the homage of the first and most devoted of her subjects, +and one glance of the count was the same as a command to the +guests, who all vied with each other in acting up to the spirit +of the noble host.</p> +<p>In her person majesty, innocence, and grace, in union with +beauty, presided over this joyous banquet. Minna’s +happy parents were elated by the honours conferred upon their +child. As for me, I abandoned myself to all the +intoxication of delight: I sent for all the jewels, pearls, and +precious stones still left to me—the produce of my fatal +wealth—and, filling two vases, I placed them on the table, +in the name of the Queen of the banquet, to be divided among her +companions and the remainder of the ladies.</p> +<p>I ordered gold in the meantime to be showered down without +ceasing among the happy multitude.</p> +<p>Next morning Bendel told me in confidence that the suspicions +he had long entertained of Rascal’s honesty were now +reduced to a certainty; he had yesterday embezzled many bags of +gold.</p> +<p>“Never mind,” said I; “let him enjoy his +paltry booty. I like to spend it; why should not he? +Yesterday he, and all the newly-engaged servants whom you had +hired, served me honourably, and cheerfully assisted me to enjoy +the banquet.”</p> +<p>No more was said on the subject. Rascal remained at the +head of my domestics. Bendel was my friend and confidant; +he had by this time become accustomed to look upon my wealth as +inexhaustible, without seeking to inquire into its source. +He entered into all my schemes, and effectually assisted me in +devising methods of spending my money.</p> +<p>Of the pale, sneaking scoundrel—the unknown—Bendel +only knew thus much, that he alone had power to release me from +the curse which weighed so heavily on me, and yet that I stood in +awe of him on whom all my hopes rested. Besides, I felt +convinced that he had the means of discovering <i>me</i> under +any circumstances, while he himself remained concealed. I +therefore abandoned my fruitless inquiries, and patiently awaited +the appointed day.</p> +<p>The magnificence of my banquet, and my deportment on the +occasion, had but strengthened the credulous townspeople in their +previous belief.</p> +<p>It appeared soon after, from accounts in the newspapers, that +the whole history of the King of Prussia’s fictitious +journey originated in mere idle report. But a king I was, +and a king I must remain by all means; and one of the richest and +most royal, although people were at a loss to know where my +territories lay.</p> +<p>The world has never had reason to lament the scarcity of +monarchs, particularly in these days; and the good people, who +had never yet seen a king, now fancied me to be first one, and +then another, with equal success; and in the meanwhile I remained +as before, Count Peter.</p> +<p>Among the visitors at this watering-place a merchant made his +appearance, one who had become a bankrupt in order to enrich +himself. He enjoyed the general good opinion; for he +projected a shadow of respectable size, though of somewhat faint +hue.</p> +<p>This man wished to show off in this place by means of his +wealth, and sought to rival me. My purse soon enabled me to +leave the poor devil far behind. To save his credit he +became bankrupt again, and fled beyond the mountains; and thus I +was rid of him. Many a one in this place was reduced to +beggary and ruin through my means.</p> +<p>In the midst of the really princely magnificence and +profusion, which carried all before me, my own style of living +was very simple and retired. I had made it a point to +observe the strictest precaution; and, with the exception of +Bendel, no one was permitted, on any pretence whatever, to enter +my private apartment. As long as the sun shone I remained +shut up with him; and the Count was then said to be deeply +occupied in his closet. The numerous couriers, whom I kept +in constant attendance about matters of no importance, were +supposed to be the bearers of my despatches. I only +received company in the evening under the trees of my garden, or +in my saloons, after Bendel’s assurance of their being +carefully and brilliantly lit up.</p> +<p>My walks, in which the Argus-eyed Bendel was constantly on the +watch for me, extended only to the garden of the forest-ranger, +to enjoy the society of one who was dear to me as my own +existence.</p> +<p>Oh, my Chamisso! I trust thou hast not forgotten what +love is! I must here leave much to thine imagination. +Minna was in truth an amiable and excellent maiden: her whole +soul was wrapped up in me, and in her lowly thoughts of herself +she could not imagine how she had deserved a single thought from +me. She returned love for love with all the full and +youthful fervour of an innocent heart; her love was a true +woman’s love, with all the devotion and total absence of +selfishness which is found only in woman; she lived but in me, +her whole soul being bound up in mine, regardless what her own +fate might be.</p> +<p>Yet I, alas, during those hours of wretchedness—hours I +would even now gladly recall—how often have I wept on +Bendel’s bosom, when after the first mad whirlwind of +passion I reflected, with the keenest self-upbraidings, that I, a +shadowless man, had, with cruel selfishness, practised a wicked +deception, and stolen away the pure and angelic heart of the +innocent Minna!</p> +<p>At one moment I resolved to confess all to her; then that I +would fly for ever; then I broke out into a flood of bitter +tears, and consulted Bendel as to the means of meeting her again +in the forester’s garden.</p> +<p>At times I flattered myself with great hopes from the near +approaching visit of the unknown; then wept again, because I saw +clearly on reflection that they would end in +disappointment. I had made a calculation of the day fixed +on by the fearful being for our interview; for he had said in a +year and a day, and I depended on his word.</p> +<p>The parents were worthy old people, devoted to their only +child; and our mutual affection was a circumstance so +overwhelming that they knew not how to act. They had never +dreamed for a moment that the <i>Count</i> could bestow a thought +on their daughter; but such was the case—he loved and was +beloved. The pride of the mother might not have led her to +consider such an alliance quite impossible, but so extravagant an +idea had never entered the contemplation of the sounder judgment +of the old man. Both were satisfied of the sincerity of my +love, and could but put up prayers to Heaven for the happiness of +their child.</p> +<p>A letter which I received from Minna about that time has just +fallen into my hands. Yes, these are the characters traced +by her own hand. I will transcribe the letter:—</p> +<p>“I am indeed a weak, foolish girl to fancy that the +friend I so tenderly love could give an instant’s pain to +his poor Minna! Oh no! thou art so good, so inexpressibly +good! But do not misunderstand me. I will accept no +sacrifice at thy hands—none whatever. Oh +heavens! I should hate myself! No; thou hast made me +happy, thou hast taught me to love thee.</p> +<p>“Go, then—let me not forget my destiny—Count +Peter belongs not to me, but to the whole world; and oh! what +pride for thy Minna to hear thy deeds proclaimed, and blessings +invoked on thy idolised head! Ah! when I think of this, I +could chide thee that thou shouldst for one instant forget thy +high destiny for the sake of a simple maiden! Go, then; +otherwise the reflection will pierce me. How blest I have +been rendered by thy love! Perhaps, also, I have planted +some flowers in the path of thy life, as I twined them in the +wreath which I presented to thee.</p> +<p>“Go, then—fear not to leave me—you are too +deeply seated in my heart—I shall die inexpressibly happy +in thy love.”</p> +<p>Conceive how these words pierced my soul, Chamisso!</p> +<p>I declared to her that I was not what I seemed—that, +although a rich, I was an unspeakably miserable man—that a +curse was on me, which must remain a secret, although the only +one between us—yet that I was not without a hope of its +being removed—that this poisoned every hour of my +life—that I should plunge her with me into the +abyss—she, the light and joy, the very soul of my +existence. Then she wept because I was unhappy. +Oh! Minna was all love and tenderness. To save me one +tear she would gladly have sacrificed her life.</p> +<p>Yet she was far from comprehending the full meaning of my +words. She still looked upon me as some proscribed prince +or illustrious exile; and her vivid imagination had invested her +lover with every lofty attribute.</p> +<p>One day I said to her, “Minna, the last day in next +month will decide my fate, and perhaps change it for the better; +if not, I would sooner die than render you miserable.”</p> +<p>She laid her head on my shoulder to conceal her tears. +“Should thy fate be changed,” she said, “I only +wish to know that thou art happy; if thy condition is an unhappy +one, I will share it with thee, and assist thee to support +it.”</p> +<p>“Minna, Minna!” I exclaimed, “recall those +rash words—those mad words which have escaped thy +lips! Didst thou know the misery and curse—didst thou +know who—what—thy lover—Seest thou not, my +Minna, this convulsive shuddering which thrills my whole frame, +and that there is a secret in my breast which you cannot +penetrate?” She sank sobbing at my feet, and renewed +her vows and entreaties.</p> +<p>Her father now entered, and I declared to him my intention to +solicit the hand of his daughter on the first day of the month +after the ensuing one. I fixed that time, I told him, +because circumstances might probably occur in the interval +materially to influence my future destiny; but my love for his +daughter was unchangeable.</p> +<p>The good old man started at hearing such words from the mouth +of Count Peter. He fell upon my neck, and rose again in the +utmost confusion for having forgotten himself. Then he +began to doubt, to ponder, and to scrutinise; and spoke of dowry, +security, and future provision for his beloved child. I +thanked him for having reminded me of all this, and told him it +was my wish to remain in a country where I seemed to be beloved, +and to lead a life free from anxiety. I then commissioned +him to purchase the finest estate in the neighbourhood in the +name of his daughter—for a father was the best person to +act for his daughter in such a case—and to refer for +payment to me. This occasioned him a good deal of trouble, +as a stranger had everywhere anticipated him; but at last he made +a purchase for about £150,000.</p> +<p>I confess this was but an innocent artifice to get rid of him, +as I had frequently done before; for it must be confessed that he +was somewhat tedious. The good mother was rather deaf, and +not jealous, like her husband, of the honour of conversing with +the Count.</p> +<p>The happy party pressed me to remain with them longer this +evening. I dared not—I had not a moment to +lose. I saw the rising moon streaking the horizon—my +hour was come.</p> +<p>Next evening I went again to the forester’s +garden. I had wrapped myself closely up in my cloak, +slouched my hat over my eyes, and advanced towards Minna. +As she raised her head and looked at me, she started +involuntarily. The apparition of that dreadful night in +which I had been seen without a shadow was now standing +distinctly before me—it was she herself. Had she +recognised me? She was silent and thoughtful. I felt +an oppressive load at my heart. I rose from my seat. +She laid her head on my shoulder, still silent and in +tears. I went away.</p> +<p>I now found her frequently weeping. I became more and +more melancholy. Her parents were beyond expression +happy. The eventful day approached, threatening and heavy, +like a thundercloud. The evening preceding arrived. I +could scarcely breathe. I had carefully filled a large +chest with gold, and sat down to await the appointed +time—the twelfth hour—it struck.</p> +<p>Now I remained with my eyes fixed on the hand of the clock, +counting the seconds—the minutes—which struck me to +the heart like daggers. I started at every sound—at +last daylight appeared. The leaden hours passed +on—morning—evening—night came. Hope was +fast fading away as the hand advanced. It struck +eleven—no one appeared—the last minutes—the +first and last stroke of the twelfth hour died away. I sank +back in my bed in an agony of weeping. In the morning I +should, shadowless as I was, claim the hand of my beloved +Minna. A heavy sleep towards daylight closed my eyes.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was yet early, when I was +suddenly awoke by voices in hot dispute in my antechamber. +I listened. Bendel was forbidding Rascal to enter my room, +who swore he would receive no orders from his equals, and +insisted on forcing his way. The faithful Bendel reminded +him that if such words reached his master’s ears, he would +turn him out of an excellent place. Rascal threatened to +strike him if he persisted in refusing his entrance.</p> +<p>By this time, having half dressed myself, I angrily threw open +the door, and addressing myself to Rascal, inquired what he meant +by such disgraceful conduct. He drew back a couple of +steps, and coolly answered, “Count Peter, may I beg most +respectfully that you will favour me with a sight of your +shadow? The sun is now shining brightly in the court +below.”</p> +<p>I stood as if struck by a thunderbolt, and for some time was +unable to speak. At last, I asked him how a servant could +dare to behave so towards his master. He interrupted me by +saying, quite coolly, “A servant may be a very honourable +man, and unwilling to serve a shadowless master—I request +my dismissal.”</p> +<p>I felt that I must adopt a softer tone, and replied, +“But, Rascal, my good fellow, who can have put such strange +ideas into your head? How can you imagine—”</p> +<p>He again interrupted me in the same tone—“People +say you have no shadow. In short, let me see your shadow, +or give me my dismissal.”</p> +<p>Bendel, pale and trembling, but more collected than myself, +made a sign to me. I had recourse to the all-powerful +influence of gold. But even gold had lost its +power—Rascal threw it at my feet: “From a shadowless +man,” he said, “I will take nothing.”</p> +<p>Turning his back upon me, and putting on his hat, he then +slowly left the room, whistling a tune. I stood, with +Bendel, as if petrified, gazing after him.</p> +<p>With a deep sigh and a heavy heart I now prepared to keep my +engagement, and to appear in the forester’s garden like a +criminal before his judge. I entered by the shady arbour, +which had received the name of Count Peter’s arbour, where +we had appointed to meet. The mother advanced with a +cheerful air; Minna sat fair and beautiful as the early snow of +autumn reposing on the departing flowers, soon to be dissolved +and lost in the cold stream.</p> +<p>The ranger, with a written paper in his hand, was walking up +and down in an agitated manner, and struggling to suppress his +feelings—his usually unmoved countenance being one moment +flushed, and the next perfectly pale. He came forward as I +entered, and, in a faltering voice, requested a private +conversation with me. The path by which he requested me to +follow him led to an open spot in the garden, where the sun was +shining. I sat down. A long silence ensued, which +even the good woman herself did not venture to break. The +ranger, in an agitated manner, paced up and down with unequal +steps. At last he stood still; and glancing over the paper +he held in his hand, he said, addressing me with a penetrating +look, “Count Peter, do you know one Peter Schlemihl?” +I was silent.</p> +<p>“A man,” he continued, “of excellent +character and extraordinary endowments.”</p> +<p>He paused for an answer.—“And supposing I myself +were that very man?”</p> +<p>“You!” he exclaimed, passionately; “he has +lost his shadow!”</p> +<p>“Oh, my suspicion is true!” cried Minna; “I +have long known it—he has no shadow!” And she +threw herself into her mother’s arms, who, convulsively +clasping her to her bosom, reproached her for having so long, to +her hurt, kept such a secret. But, like the fabled +Arethusa, her tears, as from a fountain, flowed more abundantly, +and her sobs increased at my approach.</p> +<p>“And so,” said the ranger fiercely, “you +have not scrupled, with unparalleled shamelessness, to deceive +both her and me; and you pretended to love her, +forsooth—her whom you have reduced to the state in which +you now see her. See how she weeps!—Oh, shocking, +shocking!”</p> +<p>By this time I had lost all presence of mind; and I answered, +confusedly, “After all, it is but a shadow, a mere shadow, +which a man can do very well without; and really it is not worth +the while to make all this noise about such a +trifle.” Feeling the groundlessness of what I was +saying, I ceased, and no one condescended to reply. At last +I added, “What is lost to-day may be found +to-morrow.”</p> +<p>“Be pleased, sir,” continued the ranger, in great +wrath—“be pleased to explain how you have lost your +shadow.”</p> +<p>Here again an excuse was ready: “A boor of a +fellow,” said I, “one day trod so rudely on my shadow +that he tore a large hole in it. I sent it to be +repaired—for gold can do wonders—and yesterday I +expected it home again.”</p> +<p>“Very well,” answered the ranger. “You +are a suitor for my daughter’s hand, and so are +others. As a father, I am bound to provide for her. I +will give you three days to seek your shadow. Return to me +in the course of that time with a well-fitted shadow, and you +shall receive a hearty welcome; otherwise, on the fourth +day—remember, on the fourth day—my daughter becomes +the wife of another.”</p> +<p>I now attempted to say one word to Minna; but, sobbing more +violently, she clung still closer to her mother, who made a sign +for me to withdraw. I obeyed; and now the world seemed shut +out from me for ever.</p> +<p>Having escaped from the affectionate care of Bendel, I now +wandered wildly through the neighbouring woods and meadows. +Drops of anguish fell from my brow, deep groans burst from my +bosom—frenzied despair raged within me.</p> +<p>I knew not how long this had lasted, when I felt myself seized +by the sleeve on a sunny heath. I stopped, and looking up, +beheld the grey-coated man, who appeared to have run himself out +of breath in pursuing me. He immediately began:</p> +<p>“I had,” said he, “appointed this day; but +your impatience anticipated it. All, however, may yet be +right. Take my advice—redeem your shadow, which is at +your command, and return immediately to the ranger’s +garden, where you will be well received, and all the past will +seem a mere joke. As for Rascal—who has betrayed you +in order to pay his addresses to Minna—leave him to me; he +is just a fit subject for me.”</p> +<p>I stood like one in a dream. “This day?” I +considered again. He was right—I had made a mistake +of a day. I felt in my bosom for the purse. He +perceived my intention, and drew back.</p> +<p>“No, Count Peter; the purse is in good hands—pray +keep it.” I gazed at him with looks of astonishment +and inquiry. “I only beg a trifle as a token of +remembrance. Be so good as to sign this +memorandum.” On the parchment, which he held out to +me, were these words:—“By virtue of this present, to +which I have appended my signature, I hereby bequeath my soul to +the holder, after its natural separation from my body.”</p> +<p>I gazed in mute astonishment alternately at the paper and the +grey unknown. In the meantime he had dipped a new pen in a +drop of blood which was issuing from a scratch in my hand just +made by a thorn. He presented it to me. “Who +are you?” at last I exclaimed. “What can it +signify?” he answered; “do you not perceive who I +am? A poor devil—a sort of scholar and philosopher, +who obtains but poor thanks from his friends for his admirable +arts, and whose only amusement on earth consists in his small +experiments. But just sign this; to the right, exactly +underneath—Peter Schlemihl.”</p> +<p>I shook my head, and replied, “Excuse me, sir; I cannot +sign that.”</p> +<p>“Cannot!” he exclaimed; “and why +not?”</p> +<p>“Because it appears to me a hazardous thing to exchange +my soul for my shadow.”</p> +<p>“Hazardous!” he exclaimed, bursting into a loud +laugh. “And, pray, may I be allowed to inquire what +sort of a thing your soul is?—have you ever seen +it?—and what do you mean to do with it after your +death? You ought to think yourself fortunate in meeting +with a customer who, during your life, in exchange for this +infinitely-minute quantity, this galvanic principle, this +polarised agency, or whatever other foolish name you may give it, +is willing to bestow on you something substantial—in a +word, your own identical shadow, by virtue of which you will +obtain your beloved Minna, and arrive at the accomplishment of +all your wishes; or do you prefer giving up the poor young girl +to the power of that contemptible scoundrel Rascal? Nay, +you shall behold her with your own eyes. Come here; I will +lend you an invisible cap (he drew something out of his pocket), +and we will enter the ranger’s garden unseen.”</p> +<p>I must confess that I felt excessively ashamed to be thus +laughed at by the grey stranger. I detested him from the +very bottom of my soul; and I really believe this personal +antipathy, more than principle or previously-formed opinion, +restrained me from purchasing my shadow, much as I stood in need +of it, at such an expense. Besides, the thought was +insupportable, of making this proposed visit in his +society. To behold this hateful sneak, this mocking fiend, +place himself between me and my beloved, between our torn and +bleeding hearts, was too revolting an idea to be entertained for +a moment. I considered the past as irrevocable, my own +misery as inevitable; and turning to the grey man, I said, +“I have exchanged my shadow for this very extraordinary +purse, and I have sufficiently repented it. For +Heaven’s sake, let the transaction be declared null and +void!” He shook his head; and his countenance assumed +an expression of the most sinister cast. I continued, +“I will make no exchange whatever, even for the sake of my +shadow, nor will I sign the paper. It follows, also, that +the incognito visit you propose to me would afford you far more +entertainment than it could possibly give me. Accept my +excuses, therefore; and, since it must be so, let us +part.”</p> +<p>“I am sorry, Mr. Schlemihl, that you thus obstinately +persist in rejecting my friendly offer. Perhaps, another +time, I may be more fortunate. Farewell! May we +shortly meet again! But, <i>à propos</i>, allow me +to show you that I do not undervalue my purchase, but preserve it +carefully.”</p> +<p>So saying, he drew my shadow out of his pocket; and shaking it +cleverly out of its folds, he stretched it out at his feet in the +sun—so that he stood between two obedient shadows, his own +and mine, which was compelled to follow and comply with his every +movement.</p> +<p>On again beholding my poor shadow after so long a separation, +and seeing it degraded to so vile a bondage at the very time that +I was so unspeakably in want of it, my heart was ready to burst, +and I wept bitterly. The detested wretch stood exulting +over his prey, and unblushingly renewed his proposal. +“One stroke of your pen, and the unhappy Minna is rescued +from the clutches of the villain Rascal, and transferred to the +arms of the high-born Count Peter—merely a stroke of your +pen!”</p> +<p>My tears broke out with renewed violence; but I turned away +from him, and made a sign for him to be gone.</p> +<p>Bendel, whose deep solicitude had induced him to come in +search of me, arrived at this very moment. The good and +faithful creature, on seeing me weeping, and that a shadow +(evidently mine) was in the power of the mysterious unknown, +determined to rescue it by force, should that be necessary; and +disdaining to use any finesse, he desired him directly, and +without any disputing, to restore my property. Instead of a +reply, the grey man turned his back on the worthy fellow, and was +making off. But Bendel raised his buck-thorn stick; and +following close upon him, after repeated commands, but in vain, +to restore the shadow, he made him feel the whole force of his +powerful arm. The grey man, as if accustomed to such +treatment, held down his head, slouched his shoulders, and, with +soft and noiseless steps, pursued his way over the heath, +carrying with him my shadow, and also my faithful servant. +For a long time I heard hollow sounds ringing through the waste, +until at last they died away in the distance, and I was again +left to solitude and misery.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Alone on the wild heath, I disburdened my heart of an +insupportable load by giving free vent to my tears. But I +saw no bounds, no relief, to my surpassing wretchedness; and I +drank in the fresh poison which the mysterious stranger had +poured into my wounds with a furious avidity. As I retraced +in my mind the loved image of my Minna, and depicted her sweet +countenance all pale and in tears, such as I had beheld her in my +late disgrace, the bold and sarcastic visage of Rascal would ever +and anon thrust itself between us. I hid my face, and fled +rapidly over the plains; but the horrible vision unrelentingly +pursued me, till at last I sank breathless on the ground, and +bedewed it with a fresh torrent of tears—and all this for a +shadow!—a shadow which one stroke of the pen would +repurchase. I pondered on the singular proposal, and on my +hesitation to comply with it. My mind was confused—I +had lost the power of judging or comprehending. The day was +waning apace. I satisfied the cravings of hunger with a few +wild fruits, and quenched my thirst at a neighbouring +stream. Night came on; I threw myself down under a tree, +and was awoke by the damp morning air from an uneasy sleep, in +which I had fancied myself struggling in the agonies of +death. Bendel had certainly lost all trace of me, and I was +glad of it. I did not wish to return among my +fellow-creatures—I shunned them as the hunted deer flies +before its pursuers. Thus I passed three melancholy +days.</p> +<p>I found myself on the morning of the fourth on a sandy plain, +basking in the rays of the sun, and sitting on a fragment of +rock; for it was sweet to enjoy the genial warmth of which I had +so long been deprived. Despair still preyed on my +heart. Suddenly a slight sound startled me; I looked round, +prepared to fly, but saw no one. On the sunlit sand before +me flitted the shadow of a man not unlike my own; and wandering +about alone, it seemed to have lost its master. This sight +powerfully excited me. “Shadow!” thought I, +“art thou in search of thy master? in me thou shalt find +him.” And I sprang forward to seize it, fancying that +could I succeed in treading so exactly in its traces as to step +in its footmarks, it would attach itself to me, and in time +become accustomed to me, and follow all my movements.</p> +<p>The shadow, as I moved, took to flight, and I commenced a hot +chase after the airy fugitive, solely excited by the hope of +being delivered from my present dreadful situation; the bare idea +inspired me with fresh strength and vigour.</p> +<p>The shadow now fled towards a distant wood, among whose shades +I must necessarily have lost it. Seeing this, my heart beat +wild with fright, my ardour increased and lent wings to my +speed. I was evidently gaining on the shadow—I came +nearer and nearer—I was within reach of it, when it +suddenly stopped and turned towards me. Like a lion darting +on its prey, I made a powerful spring and fell unexpectedly upon +a hard substance. Then followed, from an invisible hand, +the most terrible blows in the ribs that anyone ever +received. The effect of my terror made me endeavour +convulsively to strike and grasp at the unseen object before +me. The rapidity of my motions brought me to the ground, +where I lay stretched out with a man under me, whom I held tight, +and who now became visible.</p> +<p>The whole affair was now explained. The man had +undoubtedly possessed the bird’s nest which communicates +its charm of invisibility to its possessor, though not equally so +to his shadow; and this nest he had now thrown away. I +looked all round, and soon discovered the shadow of this +invisible nest. I sprang towards it, and was fortunate +enough to seize the precious booty, and immediately became +invisible and shadowless.</p> +<p>The moment the man regained his feet he looked all round over +the wide sunny plain to discover his fortunate vanquisher, but +could see neither him nor his shadow, the latter seeming +particularly to be the object of his search: for previous to our +encounter he had not had leisure to observe that I was +shadowless, and he could not be aware of it. Becoming +convinced that all traces of me were lost, he began to tear his +hair, and give himself up to all the frenzy of despair. In +the meantime, this newly acquired treasure communicated to me +both the ability and the desire to mix again among mankind.</p> +<p>I was at a loss for a pretext to vindicate this unjust +robbery—or, rather, so deadened had I become, I felt no +need of a pretext; and in order to dissipate every idea of the +kind, I hastened on, regardless of the unhappy man, whose fearful +lamentations long resounded in my ears. Such, at the time, +were my impressions of all the circumstances of this affair.</p> +<p>I now ardently desired to return to the ranger’s garden, +in order to ascertain in person the truth of the information +communicated by the odious unknown; but I knew not where I was, +until, ascending an eminence to take a survey of the surrounding +country, I perceived, from its summit, the little town and the +gardens almost at my feet. My heart beat violently, and +tears of a nature very different from those I had lately shed +filled my eyes. I should, then, once more behold her!</p> +<p>Anxiety now hastened my steps. Unseen I met some +peasants coming from the town; they were talking of me, of +Rascal, and of the ranger. I would not stay to listen to +their conversation, but proceeded on. My bosom thrilled +with expectation as I entered the garden. At this moment I +heard something like a hollow laugh which caused me involuntarily +to shudder. I cast a rapid glance around, but could see no +one. I passed on; presently I fancied I heard the sound of +footsteps close to me, but no one was within sight. My ears +must have deceived me.</p> +<p>It was early; no one was in Count Peter’s +bower—the gardens were deserted. I traversed all the +well-known paths, and penetrated even to the dwelling-house +itself. The same rustling sound became now more and more +audible. With anguished feelings I sat down on a seat +placed in the sunny space before the door, and actually felt some +invisible fiend take a place by me, and heard him utter a +sarcastic laugh. The key was turned in the door, which was +opened. The forest-master appeared with a paper in his +hand. Suddenly my head was, as it were, enveloped in a +mist. I looked up, and, oh horror! the grey-coated man was +at my side, peering in my face with a satanic grin. He had +extended the mist-cap he wore over my head. His shadow and +my own were lying together at his feet in perfect amity. He +kept twirling in his hand the well-known parchment with an air of +indifference; and while the ranger, absorbed in thought, and +intent upon his paper, paced up and down the arbour, my tormentor +confidentially leaned towards me, and whispered, “So, Mr. +Schlemihl, you have at length accepted my invitation; and here we +sit, two heads under one hood, as the saying is. Well, +well, all in good time. But now you can return me my +bird’s nest—you have no further occasion for it; and +I am sure you are too honourable a man to withhold it from +me. No need of thanks, I assure you; I had infinite +pleasure in lending it to you.” He took it out of my +unresisting hand, put it into his pocket, and then broke into so +loud a laugh at my expense, that the forest-master turned round, +startled at the sound. I was petrified. “You +must acknowledge,” he continued, “that in our +position a hood is much more convenient. It serves to +conceal not only a man, but his shadow, or as many shadows as he +chooses to carry. I, for instance, to-day bring two, you +perceive.” He laughed again. “Take +notice, Schlemihl, that what a man refuses to do with a good +grace in the first instance, he is always in the end compelled to +do. I am still of opinion that you ought to redeem your +shadow and claim your bride (for it is yet time); and as to +Rascal, he shall dangle at a rope’s end—no difficult +matter, so long as we can find a bit. As a mark of +friendship I will give you my cap into the bargain.”</p> +<p>The mother now came out, and the following conversation took +place: “What is Minna doing?” “She is +weeping.” “Silly child! what good can that +do?” “None, certainly; but it is so soon to +bestow her hand on another. O husband, you are too harsh to +your poor child.” “No, wife; you view things in +a wrong light. When she finds herself the wife of a wealthy +and honourable man, her tears will soon cease; she will waken out +of a dream, as it were, happy and grateful to Heaven and to her +parents, as you will see.” “Heaven grant it may +be so!” replied the wife. “She has, indeed, now +considerable property; but after the noise occasioned by her +unlucky affair with that adventurer, do you imagine that she is +likely soon to meet with so advantageous a match as Mr. +Rascal? Do you know the extent of Mr. Rascal’s +influence and wealth? Why, he has purchased with ready +money, in this country, six millions of landed property, free +from all encumbrances. I have had all the documents in my +hands. It was he who outbid me everywhere when I was about +to make a desirable purchase; and, besides, he has bills on Mr. +Thomas John’s house to the amount of three millions and a +half.” “He must have been a prodigious +thief!” “How foolishly you talk! he wisely +saved where others squandered their property.” +“A mere livery-servant!” “Nonsense! he +has at all events an unexceptionable shadow.” +“True, but . . . ”</p> +<p>While this conversation was passing, the grey-coated man +looked at me with a satirical smile.</p> +<p>The door opened, and Minna entered, leaning on the arm of her +female attendant, silent tears flowing down her fair but pallid +face. She seated herself in the chair which had been placed +for her under the lime-trees, and her father took a stool by her +side. He gently raised her hand; and as her tears flowed +afresh, he addressed her in the most affectionate +manner:—</p> +<p>“My own dear, good child—my Minna—will act +reasonably, and not afflict her poor old father, who only wishes +to make her happy. My dearest child, this blow has shaken +you—dreadfully, I know it; but you have been saved, as by a +miracle, from a miserable fate, my Minna. You loved the +unworthy villain most tenderly before his treachery was +discovered: I feel all this, Minna; and far be it from me to +reproach you for it—in fact, I myself loved him so long as +I considered him to be a person of rank: you now see yourself how +differently it has turned out. Every dog has a shadow; and +the idea of my child having been on the eve of uniting herself to +a man who . . . but I am sure you will think no more of +him. A suitor has just appeared for you in the person of a +man who does not fear the sun—an honourable man—no +prince indeed, but a man worth ten millions of golden ducats +sterling—a sum nearly ten times larger than your fortune +consists of—a man, too, who will make my dear child +happy—nay, do not oppose me—be my own good, dutiful +child—allow your loving father to provide for you, and to +dry up these tears. Promise to bestow your hand on Mr. +Rascal. Speak my child: will you not?”</p> +<p>Minna could scarcely summon strength to reply that she had now +no longer any hopes or desires on earth, and that she was +entirely at her father’s disposal. Rascal was +therefore immediately sent for, and entered the room with his +usual forwardness; but Minima in the meantime had swooned +away.</p> +<p>My detested companion looked at me indignantly, and whispered, +“Can you endure this? Have you no blood in your +veins?” He instantly pricked my finger, which +bled. “Yes, positively,” he exclaimed, +“you have some blood left!—come, sign.” +The parchment and pen were in my hand!</p> +<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> +<p>I <span class="smcap">submit</span> myself to thy judgment, my +dear Chamisso; I do not seek to bias it. I have long been a +rigid censor of myself, and nourished at my heart the worm of +remorse. This critical moment of my life is ever present to +my soul, and I dare only cast a hesitating glance at it, with a +deep sense of humiliation and grief. Ah, my dear friend, he +who once permits himself thoughtlessly to deviate but one step +from the right road, will imperceptibly find himself involved in +various intricate paths, all leading him farther and farther +astray. In vain he beholds the guiding-stars of Heaven +shining before him. No choice is left him—he must +descend the precipice, and offer himself up a sacrifice to his +fate. After the false step which I had rashly made, and +which entailed a curse upon me, I had, in the wantonness of +passion, entangled one in my fate who had staked all her +happiness upon me. What was left for me to do in a case +where I had brought another into misery, but to make a desperate +leap in the dark to save her?—the last, the only means of +rescue presented itself. Think not so meanly of me, +Chamisso, as to imagine that I would have shrunk from any +sacrifice on my part. In such a case it would have been but +a poor ransom. No, Chamisso; but my whole soul was filled +with unconquerable hatred to the cringing knave and his crooked +ways. I might be doing him injustice; but I shuddered at +the bare idea of entering into any fresh compact with him. +But here a circumstance took place which entirely changed the +face of things . . .</p> +<p>I know not whether to ascribe it to excitement of mind, +exhaustion of physical strength (for during the last few days I +had scarcely tasted anything), or the antipathy I felt to the +society of my fiendish companion; but just as I was about to sign +the fatal paper, I fell into a deep swoon, and remained for a +long time as if dead. The first sounds which greeted my ear +on recovering my consciousness were those of cursing and +imprecation; I opened my eyes—it was dusk; my hateful +companion was overwhelming me with reproaches. “Is +not this behaving like an old woman? Come, rise up, and +finish quickly what you were going to do; or perhaps you have +changed your determination, and prefer to lie groaning +there?”</p> +<p>I raised myself with difficulty from the ground and gazed +around me without speaking a word. It was late in the +evening, and I heard strains of festive music proceeding from the +ranger’s brilliantly illuminated house; groups of company +were lounging about the gardens; two persons approached, and +seating themselves on the bench I had lately occupied, began to +converse on the subject of the marriage which had taken place +that morning between the wealthy Mr. Rascal and Minima. All +was then over.</p> +<p>I tore off the cap which rendered me invisible; and my +companion having disappeared, I plunged in silence into the +thickest gloom of the grove, rapidly passed Count Peter’s +bower towards the entrance-gate; but my tormentor still haunted +me, and loaded me with reproaches. “And is this all +the gratitude I am to expect from you, Mr. Schlemihl—you, +whom I have been watching all the weary day, until you should +recover from your nervous attack? What a fool’s part +I have been enacting! It is of no use flying from me, Mr. +Perverse—we are inseparable—you have my gold, I have +your shadow; this exchange deprives us both of peace. Did +you ever hear of a man’s shadow leaving him?—yours +follows me until you receive it again into favour, and thus free +me from it. Disgust and weariness sooner or later will +compel you to do what you should have done gladly at first. +In vain you strive with fate!”</p> +<p>He continued unceasingly in the same tone, uttering constant +sarcasms about the gold and the shadow, till I was completely +bewildered. To fly from him was impossible. I had +pursued my way through the empty streets towards my own house, +which I could scarcely recognise—the windows were broken to +pieces, no light was visible, the doors were shut, and the bustle +of domestics had ceased. My companion burst into a loud +laugh. “Yes, yes,” said he, “you see the +state of things: however, you will find your friend Bendel at +home; he was sent back the other day so fatigued, that I assure +you he has never left the house since. He will have a fine +story to tell! So I wish you a very good night—may we +shortly meet again!”</p> +<p>I had repeatedly rung the bell: at last a light appeared; and +Bendel inquired from within who was there. The poor fellow +could scarcely contain himself at the sound of my voice. +The door flew open, and we were locked in each other’s +arms. I found him sadly changed; he was looking ill and +feeble. I, too, was altered; my hair had become quite +grey. He conducted me through the desolate apartments to an +inner room, which had escaped the general wreck. After +partaking of some refreshment, we seated ourselves; and, with +fresh lamentations, he began to tell me that the grey withered +old man whom he had met with my shadow had insensibly led him +such a zig-zag race, that he had lost all traces of me, and at +last sank down exhausted with fatigue; that, unable to find me, +he had returned home, when, shortly after the mob, at +Rascal’s instigation, assembled violently before the house, +broke the windows, and by all sorts of excesses completely +satiated their fury. Thus had they treated their +benefactor. My servants had fled in all directions. +The police had banished me from the town as a suspicious +character, and granted me an interval of twenty-four hours to +leave the territory. Bendel added many particulars as to +the information I had already obtained respecting Rascal’s +wealth and marriage. This villain, it seems—who was +the author of all the measures taken against me—became +possessed of my secret nearly from the beginning, and, tempted by +the love of money, had supplied himself with a key to my chest, +and from that time had been laying the foundation of his present +wealth. Bendel related all this with many tears, and wept +for joy that I was once more safely restored to him, after all +his fears and anxieties for me. In me, however, such a +state of things only awoke despair.</p> +<p>My dreadful fate now stared me in the face in all its gigantic +and unchangeable horror. The source of tears was exhausted +within me; no groans escaped my breast; but with cool +indifference I bared my unprotected head to the blast. +“Bendel,” said I, “you know my fate; this heavy +visitation is a punishment for my early sins: but as for thee, my +innocent friend, I can no longer permit thee to share my +destiny. I will depart this very night—saddle me a +horse—I will set out alone. Remain here, +Bendel—I insist upon it: there must be some chests of gold +still left in the house—take them, they are thine. I +shall be a restless and solitary wanderer on the face of the +earth; but should better days arise, and fortune once more smile +propitiously on me, then I will not forget thy steady fidelity; +for in hours of deep distress thy faithful bosom has been the +depository of my sorrows.” With a bursting heart, the +worthy Bendel prepared to obey this last command of his master; +for I was deaf to all his arguments and blind to his tears. +My horse was brought—I pressed my weeping friend to my +bosom—threw myself into the saddle, and, under the friendly +shades of night, quitted this sepulchre of my existence, +indifferent which road my horse should take; for now on this side +the grave I had neither wishes, hopes, nor fears.</p> +<p>After a short time I was joined by a traveller on foot, who, +after walking for a while by the side of my horse, observed that +as we both seemed to be travelling the same road, he should beg +my permission to lay his cloak on the horse’s back behind +me, to which I silently assented. He thanked me with easy +politeness for this trifling favour, praised my horse, and then +took occasion to extol the happiness and the power of the rich, +and fell, I scarcely know how, into a sort of conversation with +himself, in which I merely acted the part of listener. He +unfolded his views of human life and of the world, and, touching +on metaphysics, demanded an answer from that cloudy science to +the question of questions—the answer that should solve all +mysteries. He deduced one problem from another in a very +lucid manner, and then proceeded to their solution.</p> +<p>You may remember, my dear friend, that after having run +through the school-philosophy, I became sensible of my unfitness +for metaphysical speculations, and therefore totally abstained +from engaging in them. Since then I have acquiesced in some +things, and abandoned all hope of comprehending others; trusting, +as you advised me, to my own plain sense and the voice of +conscience to direct and, if possible, maintain me in the right +path.</p> +<p>Now this skilful rhetorician seemed to me to expend great +skill in rearing a firmly-constructed edifice, towering aloft on +its own self-supported basis, but resting on, and upheld by, some +internal principle of necessity. I regretted in it the +total absence of what I desired to find; and thus it seemed a +mere work of art, serving only by its elegance and exquisite +finish to captivate the eye. Nevertheless, I listened with +pleasure to this eloquently gifted man, who diverted my attention +from my own sorrows to the speaker; and he would have secured my +entire acquiescence if he had appealed to my heart as well as to +my judgment.</p> +<p>In the meantime the hours had passed away, and morning had +already dawned imperceptibly in the horizon; looking up, I +shuddered as I beheld in the east all those splendid hues that +announce the rising sun. At this hour, when all natural +shadows are seen in their full proportions, not a fence or a +shelter of any kind could I descry in this open country, and I +was not alone! I cast a glance at my companion, and +shuddered again—it was the man in the grey coat +himself! He laughed at my surprise, and said, without +giving me time to speak: “You see, according to the fashion +of this world, mutual convenience binds us together for a time: +there is plenty of time to think of parting. The road here +along the mountain, which perhaps has escaped your notice, is the +only one that you can prudently take; into the valley you dare +not descend—the path over the mountain would but reconduct +you to the town which you have left—my road, too, lies this +way. I perceive you change colour at the rising sun—I +have no objections to let you have the loan of your shadow during +our journey, and in return you may not be indisposed to tolerate +my society. You have now no Bendel; but I will act for +him. I regret that you are not over-fond of me; but that +need not prevent you from accepting my poor services. The +devil is not so black as he is painted. Yesterday you +provoked me, I own; but now that is all forgotten, and you must +confess I have this day succeeded in beguiling the wearisomeness +of your journey. Come, take your shadow, and make trial of +it.”</p> +<p>The sun had risen, and we were meeting with passengers; so I +reluctantly consented. With a smile, he immediately let my +shadow glide down to the ground; and I beheld it take its place +by that of my horse, and gaily trot along with me. My +feelings were anything but pleasant. I rode through groups +of country people, who respectfully made way for the well-mounted +stranger. Thus I proceeded, occasionally stealing a +sidelong glance with a beating heart from my horse at the shadow +once my own, but now, alas, accepted as a loan from a stranger, +or rather a fiend. He moved on carelessly at my side, +whistling a song. He being on foot, and I on horseback, the +temptation to hazard a silly project occurred to me; so, suddenly +turning my bridle, I set spurs to my horse, and at full gallop +struck into a by-path; but my shadow, on the sudden movement of +my horse, glided away, and stood on the road quietly awaiting the +approach of its legal owner. I was obliged to return +abashed towards the grey man; but he very coolly finished his +song, and with a laugh set my shadow to rights again, reminding +me that it was at my option to have it irrevocably fixed to me, +by purchasing it on just and equitable terms. “I hold +you,” said he, “by the shadow; and you seek in vain +to get rid of me. A rich man like you requires a shadow, +unquestionably; and you are to blame for not having seen this +sooner.”</p> +<p>I now continued my journey on the same road; every convenience +and even luxury of life was mine; I moved about in peace and +freedom, for I possessed a shadow, though a borrowed one; and all +the respect due to wealth was paid to me. But a deadly +disease preyed on my heart. My extraordinary companion, who +gave himself out to be the humble attendant of the richest +individual in the world, was remarkable for his dexterity; in +short, his singular address and promptitude admirably fitted him +to be the very <i>beau ideal</i> of a rich man’s +lacquey. But he never stirred from my side, and tormented +me with constant assurances that a day would most certainly come +when, if it were only to get rid of him, I should gladly comply +with his terms, and redeem my shadow. Thus he became as +irksome as he was hateful to me. I really stood in awe of +him—I had placed myself in his power. Since he had +effected my return to the pleasures of the world, which I had +resolved to shun, he had the perfect mastery of me. His +eloquence was irresistible, and at times I almost thought he was +in the right. A shadow is indeed necessary to a man of +fortune; and if I chose to maintain the position in which he had +placed me, there was only one means of doing so. But on one +point I was immovable: since I had sacrificed my love for Minna, +and thereby blighted the happiness of my whole life, I would not +now, for all the shadows in the universe be induced to sign away +my soul to this being—I knew not how it might end.</p> +<p>One day we were sitting by the entrance of a cavern, much +visited by strangers, who ascended the mountain: the rushing +noise of a subterranean torrent resounded from the fathomless +abyss, the depths of which exceeded all calculation. He +was, according to his favourite custom, employing all the powers +of his lavish fancy, and all the charm of the most brilliant +colouring, to depict to me what I might effect in the world by +virtue of my purse, when once I had recovered my shadow. +With my elbows resting on my knees, I kept my face concealed in +my hands, and listened to the false fiend, my heart torn between +the temptation and my determined opposition to it. Such +indecision I could no longer endure, and resolved on one decisive +effort.</p> +<p>“You seem to forget,” said I, “that I +tolerate your presence only on certain conditions, and that I am +to retain perfect freedom of action.”</p> +<p>“You have but to command, I depart,” was all his +reply.</p> +<p>The threat was familiar to me; I was silent. He then +began to fold up my shadow. I turned pale, but allowed him +to continue. A long silence ensued, which he was the first +to break.</p> +<p>“You cannot endure me, Mr. Schlemihl—you hate +me—I am aware of it—but why?—is it, perhaps, +because you attacked me on the open plain, in order to rob me of +my invisible bird’s nest? or is it because you thievishly +endeavoured to seduce away the shadow with which I had entrusted +you—my own property—confiding implicitly in your +honour! I, for my part, have no dislike to you. It is +perfectly natural that you should avail yourself of every means, +presented either by cunning or force, to promote your own +interests. That your principles also should be of the +strictest sort, and your intentions of the most honourable +description,—these are fancies with which I have nothing to +do; I do not pretend to such strictness myself. Each of us +is free, I to act, and you to think, as seems best. Did I +ever seize you by the throat, to tear out of your body that +valuable soul I so ardently wish to possess? Did I ever set +my servant to attack you, to get back my purse, or attempt to run +off with it from you?”</p> +<p>I had not a word to reply.</p> +<p>“Well, well,” he exclaimed, “you detest me, +and I know it; but I bear you no malice on that account. We +must part—that is clear; also I must say that you begin to +be very tiresome to me. Once more let me advise you to free +yourself entirely from my troublesome presence by the purchase of +your shadow.”</p> +<p>I held out the purse to him.</p> +<p>“No, Mr. Schlemihl; not at that price.”</p> +<p>With a deep sigh, I said, “Be it so, then; let us part, +I entreat; cross my path no more. There is surely room +enough in the world for us both.”</p> +<p>Laughing, he replied, “I go; but just allow me to inform +you how you may at any time recall me whenever you have a mind to +see your most humble servant: you have only to shake your purse, +the sound of the gold will bring me to you in an instant. +In this world every one consults his own advantage; but you see I +have thought of yours, and clearly confer upon you a new +power. Oh this purse! it would still prove a powerful bond +between us, had the moth begun to devour your shadow.—But +enough: you hold me by my gold, and may command your servant at +any distance. You know that I can be very serviceable to my +friends; and that the rich are my peculiar care—this you +have observed. As to your shadow, allow me to say, you can +only redeem it on one condition.”</p> +<p>Recollections of former days came over me; and I hastily asked +him if he had obtained Mr. Thomas John’s signature.</p> +<p>He smiled, and said, “It was by no means necessary from +so excellent a friend.”</p> +<p>“Where is he? for God’s sake tell me: I insist +upon knowing.”</p> +<p>With some hesitation, he put his hand into his pocket; and +drew out the altered and pallid form of Mr. John by the hair of +his head, whose livid lips uttered the awful words, +“<i>Justo judicio Dei judicatus sum</i>; <i>justo judicio +Dei condemnatus sum</i>”—“I am judged and +condemned by the just judgment of God.” I was +horror-struck; and instantly throwing the jingling purse into the +abyss, I exclaimed, “Wretch! in the name of Heaven, I +conjure you to be gone!—away from my sight!—never +appear before me again!” With a dark expression on +his countenance, he arose, and immediately vanished behind the +huge rocks which surrounded the place.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER V.</h3> +<p>I <span class="smcap">was</span> now left equally without gold +and without shadow; but a heavy load was taken from my breast, +and I felt cheerful. Had not my Minna been irrecoverably +lost to me, or even had I been perfectly free from self-reproach +on her account, I felt that happiness might yet have been +mine. At present I was lost in doubt as to my future +course. I examined my pockets, and found I had a few gold +pieces still left, which I counted with feelings of great +satisfaction. I had left my horse at the inn, and was +ashamed to return, or at all events I must wait till the sun had +set, which at present was high in the heavens. I laid +myself down under a shady tree and fell into a peaceful +sleep.</p> +<p>Lovely forms floated in airy measures before me, and filled up +my delightful dreams. Minna, with a garland of flowers +entwined in her hair, was bending over me with a smile of +goodwill; also the worthy Bendel was crowned with flowers, and +hastened to meet me with friendly greetings. Many other +forms seemed to rise up confusedly in the distance: thyself among +the number, Chamisso. Perfect radiance beamed around them, +but none had a shadow; and what was more surprising, there was no +appearance of unhappiness on this account. Nothing was to +be seen or heard but flowers and music; and love and joy, and +groves of never-fading palms, seemed the natives of that happy +clime.</p> +<p>In vain I tried to detain and comprehend the lovely but +fleeting forms. I was conscious, also, of being in a dream, +and was anxious that nothing should rouse me from it; and when I +did awake, I kept my eyes closed, in order if possible to +continue the illusion. At last I opened my eyes. The +sun was now visible in the east; I must have slept the whole +night: I looked upon this as a warning not to return to the +inn. What I had left there I was content to lose, without +much regret; and resigning myself to Providence, I decided on +taking a by-road that led through the wooded declivity of the +mountain. I never once cast a glance behind me; nor did it +ever occur to me to return, as I might have done, to Bendel, whom +I had left in affluence. I reflected on the new character I +was now going to assume in the world. My present garb was +very humble—consisting of an old black coat I formerly had +worn at Berlin, and which by some chance was the first I put my +hand on before setting out on this journey, a travelling-cap, and +an old pair of boots. I cut down a knotted stick in memory +of the spot, and commenced my pilgrimage.</p> +<p>In the forest I met an aged peasant, who gave me a friendly +greeting, and with whom I entered into conversation, requesting, +as a traveller desirous of information, some particulars relative +to the road, the country, and its inhabitants, the productions of +the mountain, &c. He replied to my various inquiries +with readiness and intelligence. At last we reached the bed +of a mountain-torrent, which had laid waste a considerable tract +of the forest; I inwardly shuddered at the idea of the open +sunshine. I suffered the peasant to go before me. In +the middle of the very place which I dreaded so much, he suddenly +stopped, and turned back to give me an account of this +inundation; but instantly perceiving that I had no shadow, he +broke off abruptly, and exclaimed, “How is this?—you +have no shadow!”</p> +<p>“Alas, alas!” said I, “in a long and serious +illness I had the misfortune to lose my hair, my nails, and my +shadow. Look, good father; although my hair has grown +again, it is quite white; and at my age, my nails are still very +short; and my poor shadow seems to have left me, never to +return.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” said the old man, shaking his head; +“no shadow! that was indeed a terrible illness, +sir.”</p> +<p>But he did not resume his narrative; and at the very first +cross-road we came to, left me without uttering a syllable. +Fresh tears flowed from my eyes, and my cheerfulness had +fled. With a heavy heart I travelled on, avoiding all +society. I plunged into the deepest shades of the forest; +and often, to avoid a sunny tract of country, I waited for hours +till every human being had left it, and I could pass it +unobserved. In the evenings I took shelter in the +villages. I bent my steps to a mine in the mountains, where +I hoped to meet with work underground; for besides that my +present situation compelled me to provide for my own support, I +felt that incessant and laborious occupation alone could divert +my mind from dwelling on painful subjects. A few rainy days +assisted me materially on my journey; but it was to the no small +detriment of my boots, the soles of which were better suited to +Count Peter than to the poor foot-traveller. I was soon +barefoot, and a new purchase must be made. The following +morning I commenced an earnest search in a marketplace, where a +fair was being held; and I saw in one of the booths new and +second-hand boots set out for sale. I was a long time +selecting and bargaining; I wished much to have a new pair, but +was frightened at the extravagant price; and so was obliged to +content myself with a second-hand pair, still pretty good and +strong, which the beautiful fair-haired youth who kept the booth +handed over to me with a cheerful smile, wishing me a prosperous +journey. I went on, and left the place immediately by the +northern gate.</p> +<p>I was so lost in my own thoughts, that I walked along scarcely +knowing how or where. I was calculating the chances of my +reaching the mine by the evening, and considering how I should +introduce myself. I had not gone two hundred steps, when I +perceived I was not in the right road. I looked round, and +found myself in a wild-looking forest of ancient firs, where +apparently the stroke of the axe had never been heard. A +few steps more brought me amid huge rocks covered with moss and +saxifragous plants, between which whole fields of snow and ice +were extended. The air was intensely cold. I looked +round, and the forest had disappeared behind me; a few steps +more, and there was the stillness of death itself. The icy +plain on which I stood stretched to an immeasurable distance, and +a thick cloud rested upon it; the sun was of a red blood-colour +at the verge of the horizon; the cold was insupportable. I +could not imagine what had happened to me. The benumbing +frost made me quicken my pace. I heard a distant sound of +waters; and, at one step more, I stood on the icy shore of some +ocean. Innumerable droves of sea-dogs rushed past me and +plunged into the waves. I continued my way along this +coast, and again met with rocks, plains, birch and fir forests, +and yet only a few minutes had elapsed. It was now +intensely hot. I looked around, and suddenly found myself +between some fertile rice-fields and mulberry-trees; I sat down +under their shade, and found by my watch that it was just one +quarter of an hour since I had left the village market. I +fancied it was a dream; but no, I was indeed awake, as I felt by +the experiment I made of biting my tongue. I closed my eyes +in order to collect my scattered thoughts. Presently I +heard unintelligible words uttered in a nasal tone; and I beheld +two Chinese, whose Asiatic physiognomies were not to be mistaken, +even had their costume not betrayed their origin. They were +addressing me in the language and with the salutations of their +country. I rose, and drew back a couple of steps. +They had disappeared; the landscape was entirely changed; the +rice-fields had given place to trees and woods. I examined +some of the trees and plants around me, and ascertained such of +them as I was acquainted with to be productions of the southern +part of Asia. I made one step towards a particular tree, +and again all was changed. I now moved on like a recruit at +drill, taking slow and measured steps, gazing with astonished +eyes at the wonderful variety of regions, plains, meadows, +mountains, steppes, and sandy deserts, which passed in succession +before me. I had now no doubt that I had seven-leagued +boots on my feet.</p> +<p>I fell on my knees in silent gratitude, shedding tears of +thankfulness; for I now saw clearly what was to be my future +condition. Shut out by early sins from all human society, I +was offered amends for the privation by Nature herself, which I +had ever loved. The earth was granted me as a rich garden; +and the knowledge of her operations was to be the study and +object of my life. This was not a mere resolution. I +have since endeavoured, with anxious and unabated industry, +faithfully to imitate the finished and brilliant model then +presented to me; and my vanity has received a check when led to +compare the picture with the original. I rose immediately, +and took a hasty survey of this new field, where I hoped +afterwards to reap a rich harvest.</p> +<p>I stood on the heights of Thibet; and the sun I had lately +beheld in the east was now sinking in the west. I traversed +Asia from east to west, and thence passed into Africa, which I +curiously examined at repeated visits in all directions. As +I gazed on the ancient pyramids and temples of Egypt, I descried, +in the sandy deserts near Thebes of the hundred gates, the caves +where Christian hermits dwelt of old.</p> +<p>My determination was instantly taken, that here should be my +future dwelling. I chose one of the most secluded, but +roomy, comfortable, and inaccessible to the jackals.</p> +<p>I stepped over from the pillars of Hercules to Europe; and +having taken a survey of its northern and southern countries, I +passed by the north of Asia, on the polar glaciers, to Greenland +and America, visiting both parts of this continent; and the +winter, which was already at its height in the south, drove me +quickly back from Cape Horn to the north. I waited till +daylight had risen in the east of Asia, and then, after a short +rest, continued my pilgrimage. I followed in both the +Americas the vast chain of the Andes, once considered the +loftiest on our globe. I stepped carefully and slowly from +one summit to another, sometimes over snowy heights, sometimes +over flaming volcanoes, often breathless from fatigue. At +last I reached Elias’s mountain, and sprang over +Behring’s Straits into Asia; I followed the western coast +in its various windings, carefully observing which of the +neighbouring isles was accessible to me. From the peninsula +of Malacca, my boots carried me to Sumatra, Java, Bali, and +Lombok. I made many attempts—often with danger, and +always unsuccessfully—to force my way over the numerous +little islands and rocks with which this sea is studded, wishing +to find a north-west passage to Borneo and other islands of the +Archipelago.</p> +<p>At last I sat down at the extreme point of Lombok, my eyes +turned towards the south-east, lamenting that I had so soon +reached the limits allotted to me, and bewailing my fate as a +captive in his grated cell. Thus was I shut out from that +remarkable country, New Holland, and the islands of the southern +ocean, so essentially necessary to a knowledge of the earth, and +which would have best assisted me in the study of the animal and +vegetable kingdoms. And thus, at the very outset, I beheld +all my labours condemned to be limited to mere fragments.</p> +<p>Ah! Chamisso, what is the activity of man?</p> +<p>Frequently in the most rigorous winters of the southern +hemisphere I have rashly thrown myself on a fragment of drifting +ice between Cape Horn and Van Dieman’s Land, in the hope of +effecting a passage to New Holland, reckless of the cold and the +vast ocean, reckless of my fate, even should this savage land +prove my grave.</p> +<p>But all in vain—I never reached New Holland. Each +time, when defeated in my attempt, I returned to Lombok; and +seated at its extreme point, my eyes directed to the south-east, +I gave way afresh to lamentations that my range of investigation +was so limited. At last I tore myself from the spot, and, +heartily grieved at my disappointment, returned to the interior +of Asia. Setting out at morning dawn, I traversed it from +east to west, and at night reached the cave in Thebes which I had +previously selected for my dwelling-place, and had visited +yesterday afternoon.</p> +<p>After a short repose, as soon as daylight had visited Europe, +it was my first care to provide myself with the articles of which +I stood most in need. First of all a drag, to act on my +boots; for I had experienced the inconvenience of these whenever +I wished to shorten my steps and examine surrounding objects more +fully. A pair of slippers to go over the boots served the +purpose effectually; and from that time I carried two pairs about +me, because I frequently cast them off from my feet in my +botanical investigations, without having time to pick them up, +when threatened by the approach of lions, men, or hyenas. +My excellent watch, owing to the short duration of my movements, +was also on these occasions an admirable chronometer. I +wanted, besides, a sextant, a few philosophical instruments, and +some books. To purchase these things, I made several +unwilling journeys to London and Paris, choosing a time when I +could be hid by the favouring clouds. As all my ill-gotten +gold was exhausted, I carried over from Africa some ivory, which +is there so plentiful, in payment of my purchases—taking +care, however, to pick out the smallest teeth, in order not to +over-burden myself. I had thus soon provided myself with +all that I wanted, and now entered on a new mode of life as a +student—wandering over the globe—measuring the height +of the mountains, and the temperature of the air and of the +springs—observing the manners and habits of +animals—investigating plants and flowers. From the +equator to the pole, and from the new world to the old, I was +constantly engaged in repeating and comparing my experiments.</p> +<p>My usual food consisted of the eggs of the African ostrich or +northern sea-birds, with a few fruits, especially those of the +palm and the banana of the tropics. The tobacco-plant +consoled me when I was depressed; and the affection of my spaniel +was a compensation for the loss of human sympathy and +society. When I returned from my excursions, loaded with +fresh treasures, to my cave in Thebes, which he guarded during my +absence, he ever sprang joyfully forward to greet me, and made me +feel that I was indeed not alone on the earth. An adventure +soon occurred which brought me once more among my +fellow-creatures.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>One day, as I was gathering lichens and algæ on the +northern coast, with the drag on my boots, a bear suddenly made +his appearance, and was stealing towards me round the corner of a +rock. After throwing away my slippers, I attempted to step +across to an island, by means of a rock, projecting from the +waves in the intermediate space, that served as a +stepping-stone. I reached the rock safely with one foot, +but instantly fell into the sea with the other, one of my +slippers having inadvertently remained on. The cold was +intense; and I escaped this imminent peril at the risk of my +life. On coming ashore, I hastened to the Libyan sands to +dry myself in the sun; but the heat affected my head so much, +that, in a fit of illness, I staggered back to the north. +In vain I sought relief by change of place—hurrying from +east to west, and from west to east—now in climes of the +south, now in those of the north; sometimes I rushed into +daylight, sometimes into the shades of night. I know not +how long this lasted. A burning fever raged in my veins; +with extreme anguish I felt my senses leaving me. Suddenly, +by an unlucky accident, I trod upon some one’s foot, whom I +had hurt, and received a blow in return which laid me +senseless.</p> +<p>On recovering, I found myself lying comfortably in a good bed, +which, with many other beds, stood in a spacious and handsome +apartment. Some one was watching by me; people seemed to be +walking from one bed to another; they came beside me, and spoke +of me as <i>Number Twelve</i>. On the wall, at the +foot of my bed—it was no dream, for I distinctly read +it—on a black-marble tablet was inscribed my name, in large +letters of gold:—</p> +<blockquote><p style="text-align: center">PETER SCHLEMIHL</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Underneath were two rows of letters in smaller characters, +which I was too feeble to connect together, and closed my eyes +again.</p> +<p>I now heard something read aloud, in which I distinctly noted +the words, “Peter Schlemihl,” but could not collect +the full meaning. I saw a man of benevolent aspect, and a +very beautiful female dressed in black, standing near my bed; +their countenances were not unknown to me, but in my weak state I +could not remember who they were. Some time elapsed, and I +began to regain my strength. I was called <i>Number +Twelve</i>, and, from my long beard, was supposed to be a Jew, +but was not the less carefully nursed on that account. No +one seemed to perceive that I was destitute of a shadow. My +boots, I was assured, together with everything found on me when I +was brought here, were in safe keeping, and would be given up to +me on my restoration to health. This place was called the +SCHLMEIHLIUM: the daily recitation I had heard, was an +exhortation to pray for Peter Schlemihl as the founder and +benefactor of this institution. The benevolent-looking man +whom I had seen by my bedside was Bendel; the beautiful lady in +black was Minna.</p> +<p>I had been enjoying the advantages of the Schlemihlium without +being recognised; and I learned, further, that I was in +Bendel’s native town, where he had employed a part of my +once unhallowed gold in founding an hospital in my name, under +his superintendence, and that its unfortunate inmates daily +pronounced blessings on me. Minna had become a widow: an +unhappy lawsuit had deprived Rascal of his life, and Minna of the +greater part of her property. Her parents were no more; and +here she dwelt in widowed piety, wholly devoting herself to works +of mercy.</p> +<p>One day, as she stood by the side of Number Twelve’s bed +with Bendel, he said to her, “Noble lady, why expose +yourself so frequently to this unhealthy atmosphere? Has +fate dealt so harshly with you as to render you desirous of +death?”</p> +<p>“By no means, Mr. Bendel,” she replied; +“since I have awoke from my long dream, all has gone well +with me. I now neither wish for death nor fear it, and +think on the future and on the past with equal serenity. Do +you not also feel an inward satisfaction in thus paying a pious +tribute of gratitude and love to your old master and +friend?”</p> +<p>“Thanks be to God, I do, noble lady,” said +he. “Ah, how wonderfully has everything fallen +out! How thoughtlessly have we sipped joys and sorrows from +the full cup now drained to the last drop; and we might fancy the +past a mere prelude to the real scene for which we now wait armed +by experience. How different has been the reality! +Yet let us not regret the past, but rather rejoice that we have +not lived in vain. As respects our old friend also, I have +a firm hope that it is now better with him than +formerly.”</p> +<p>“I trust so, too,” answered Minna; and so saying +she passed by me, and they departed.</p> +<p>This conversation made a deep impression on me; and I +hesitated whether I should discover myself or depart +unknown. At last I decided; and, asking for pen and paper, +wrote as follows:—</p> +<p>“Matters are indeed better with your old friend than +formerly. He has repented; and his repentance has led to +forgiveness.”</p> +<p>I now attempted to rise, for I felt myself stronger. The +keys of a little chest near my bed were given me; and in it I +found all my effects. I put on my clothes; fastened my +botanical case round me—wherein, with delight, I found my +northern lichens all safe—put on my boots, and leaving my +note on the table, left the gates, and was speedily far advanced +on the road to Thebes.</p> +<p>Passing along the Syrian coast, which was the same road I had +taken on last leaving home, I beheld my poor Figaro running to +meet me. The faithful animal, after vainly waiting at home +for his master’s return, had probably followed his +traces. I stood still, and called him. He sprang +towards me with leaps and barks, and a thousand demonstrations of +unaffected delight. I took him in my arms—for he was +unable to follow me—and carried him home.</p> +<p>There I found everything exactly in the order in which I had +left it; and returned by degrees, as my increasing strength +allowed me, to my old occupations and usual mode of life, from +which I was kept back a whole year by my fall into the Polar +Ocean. And this, dear Chamisso, is the life I am still +leading. My boots are not yet worn out, as I had been led +to fear would be the case from that very learned work of +Tieckius—<i>De rebus gestis Pollicilli</i>. Their +energies remain unimpaired; and although mine are gradually +failing me, I enjoy the consolation of having spent them in +pursuing incessantly one object, and that not fruitlessly.</p> +<p>So far as my boots would carry me, I have observed and studied +our globe and its conformation, its mountains and temperature, +the atmosphere in its various changes, the influences of the +magnetic power; in fact, I have studied all living +creation—and more especially the kingdom of +plants—more profoundly than any one of our race. I +have arranged all the facts in proper order, to the best of my +ability, in different works. The consequences deducible +from these facts, and my views respecting them, I have hastily +recorded in some essays and dissertations. I have settled +the geography of the interior of Africa and the Arctic regions, +of the interior of Asia and of its eastern coast. My +<i>Historia stirpium plantarum utriusque orbis</i> is an +extensive fragment of a <i>Flora universalis terræ</i> and +a part of my <i>Systema naturæ</i>. Besides +increasing the number of our known species by more than a third, +I have also contributed somewhat to the natural system of plants +and to a knowledge of their geography. I am now deeply +engaged on my <i>Fauna</i>, and shall take care to have my +manuscripts sent to the University of Berlin before my +decease.</p> +<p>I have selected thee, my dear Chamisso, to be the guardian of +my wonderful history, thinking that, when I have left this world, +it may afford valuable instruction to the living. As for +thee, Chamisso, if thou wouldst live amongst thy +fellow-creatures, learn to value thy shadow more than gold; if +thou wouldst only live to thyself and thy nobler part—in +this thou needest no counsel.</p> +<h3>APPENDIX.</h3> +<p style="text-align: center">[<i>From the prefatory matter +prefixed to time Berlin edition</i>, 1839, <i>from which the +present translation is made</i>.]</p> +<h4>PREFACE BY THE EDITOR.</h4> +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> origin of “Peter +Schlemihl” is to be ascribed in a great degree to +circumstances that occurred in the life of the writer. +During the eventful year of 1813, when the movement broke out +which ultimately freed Germany from the yoke of her oppressor, +and precipitated his downfall, Chamisso was in Berlin. +Everyone who could wield a sword hastened then to employ it on +behalf of Germany and of the good cause. Chamisso had not +only a powerful arm, but a heart also of truly German mould; and +yet he was placed in a situation so peculiar as to isolate him +among millions. As he was of French parentage, the question +was, not merely whether he should fight on behalf of Germany, +but, also, whether he should fight against the people with whom +he was connected by the ties of blood and family +relationship. Hence arose a struggle in his breast. +“I, and I alone, am forbidden at this juncture to wield a +sword!” Such was frequently his exclamation; and +instead of meeting with sympathy on account of his peculiar +situation, he was frequently doomed to hear, in the capital of +Prussia, the head-quarters of the confederation against France +and Napoleon, expressions of hatred and scorn directed against +his countrymen. He was himself too equitable to mistake the +cause of such expressions, which were perfectly natural under the +circumstances, but they nevertheless deeply afflicted him when +they reached his ears. In this state of things his friends +resolved to remove him from such a scene of excitement, and to +place him amid the quiet scenery of the country. An asylum +was offered him in the family of Count Itzenplitsch, where he was +sufficiently near to become acquainted with the gradual +development of the all-important crisis, and yet free from any +unpleasant personal contact with it. Here, at the +family-seat of Cunersdorf, scarcely a day’s journey from +Berlin, wholly devoted to botany and other favourite pursuits, +Chamisso conceived the idea of “Peter Schlemihl,” and +with rapid pen finished off the story. Chamisso’s +letters of this date (in the first volume of his Life, by the +writer of this notice) afford evidence of this.</p> +<p>The first edition of the incomparable story appeared in 1814, +with a dedication dated May 27, 1813; and it was just beginning +to be known in the world at the commencement of 1815, when the +author left Germany on a voyage round the world, of which the +story contains a remarkable anticipation. “Peter +Schlemihl” was his parting salutation to his second +fatherland, and the first foundation-stone of his future +fame.</p> +<p>Chamisso was often pestered with questions respecting what he +really meant by the story of Schlemihl. These questions +amused as well as annoyed him. The truth is, that his +intention in writing it was perhaps scarcely of so precise a +nature as to admit of his giving a formal account of it. +The story sprang into being of itself, like every work of genius, +prompted by a self-creating power. In a letter to the +writer of this notice, after he had just commenced the story, he +says, “A book was the last thing you would have expected +from me! Place it before your wife this evening, if you +have time; should she be desirous to know Schlemihl’s +further adventures, and particularly who the man in the grey +cloak is—send me back the MS. immediately, that I may +continue the story; but if you do not return it, I shall know the +meaning of the signal perfectly.” Is it possible for +any writer to submit himself to the scrutiny of the public more +good-naturedly?</p> +<p>In the preface to the new French translation (which appeared +in 1838) of this story, Chamisso amuses himself in his own +peculiar way, over the prying curiosity of those who want to know +what his real object was in writing this tale:—“The +present story,” he says, “has fallen into the hands +of thoughtful people, who, being accustomed to read only for +instruction’s sake, have been at a loss to know what the +shadow signifies. On this point several have formed curious +hypotheses; others, who do me the honour to believe that I am +more learned than I really am, have addressed themselves to me +for the solution of their doubts. The questions with which +they have besieged me have made me blush on account of my +ignorance. I have therefore been induced to devote myself +to the investigation of a matter not hitherto the subject of my +studies; and I now beg to submit to the world the result of my +learned researches.</p> +<p>“‘<i>Concerning Shadows</i>.—A dark body can +only be partially illuminated by a bright one. The dark +space which lies in the direction of the unilluminated part is +what we call a <i>shadow</i>. Properly speaking, shadow +signifies a bodily space, the form of which depends upon the form +of the illuminating body, and upon their opposite position with +regard to each other. The shadow thrown on a surface, +situated before the shadow-projecting body, is, therefore, +nothing else than the intersection of this surface by the bodily +space (in French, <i>le solide</i>, on which word <i>solid</i> +the whole force of the humour turns), which we before designated +by the word shadow.’</p> +<p>“The question in this wonderful history of Peter +Schlemihl relates entirely to the last-mentioned quality, +<i>solidity</i>. The science of finance instructs us +sufficiently as to the value of money: the value of a shadow is +less generally acknowledged. My thoughtless friend was +covetous of money, of which he knew the value, and forgot to +think on solid substance. It was his wish that the lesson +which he had paid for so dearly should be turned to our profit; +and his bitter experience calls to us with a loud voice, Think on +the solid—the substantial!” So far +Chamisso.</p> +<p>“Peter Schlemihl” has been translated into almost +all the languages of Europe. Of the Dutch, Spanish, and +Russian translations we do not possess any copies. The +French and Italian are as follows:—</p> +<p class="gutindent"><i>Pierre Schlemihl</i>. <i>Paris</i>, +<i>chez Ladvocat</i>, 1822.—This was revised by Chamisso in +manuscript, who added a preface to it; but the translation was +afterwards capriciously altered by the same publisher.</p> +<p class="gutindent"><i>Un Roman du Poète Allemand +contemporain</i>, <i>Adelbert de Chamisso</i>; <i>traduit par N. +Martin</i>. <i>Histoire merveilleuse de Pierre +Schlemihl</i>. <i>Dunquerque</i>, 1837.—At the end +the translator has added a letter to a friend, with the Greek +motto, “Life is the dream of a shadow.” The +translator, while laughing in this letter at the Germans, who, he +says, ought to write three folio volumes of explanatory notes on +the little volume, falls into the error of being very diffuse +himself in the attempt to elucidate his author. His long +letter concludes not inappropriately with these words: “I +have just observed, although certainly rather late, that I have +written a letter full of shadows, and instead of lighting a torch +to illuminate the darkness, have, I fear, only deepened the +gloom. Should this be the case, the reader at any rate will +not withhold from me the praise of having preserved the colours +of the original.”</p> +<p class="gutindent"><i>Merveilleuse Histoire de Pierre +Schlemihl</i>. <i>Enrichie d’une savente +préface</i>, <i>où les curieux pourront apprendre +ce que c’est que l’ombre</i>. <i>Paris et +Nurnberg</i>, 1838. <i>With illustrations</i>.—This +translation was revised by Chamisso.</p> +<p class="gutindent"><i>L’Uomo senz’ Ombra</i>. +<i>Dono di simpatia al gentil sesso</i>. <i>Milano</i>, +1838. Published as an Annual, with a Calendar, and +Engravings.—The editor is pleased not only to withhold the +author’s name, but manages so to word his own preface as to +lead his readers to conclude that he himself is the author of the +book.</p> +<p>“Schlemihl” was also brought on the stage, but +without giving the honours of authorship to the true +source. This took place at Vienna, in February, 1819. +The announcement ran thus:—“Pulzlivizli, or the Man +without a Shadow: a comic, enchanted drama, in three acts, +adapted from De la Motte Fouqué, by Ferdinand +Rosenau.” Among the characters were the grey man, and +a certain Albert, probably intended for Schlemihl. Of the +contents of the piece we know nothing.</p> +<p>In England two editions have appeared [previous to the +present,—<i>Tr.</i>]; one of which was reprinted at Boston +in 1825. Of the popularity of “Peter Schlemihl” +in Great Britain we have a striking proof, from a caricature that +appeared shortly after the coronation of William IV. On the +celebration of this solemnity, a brother of the King—the +Duke of Cumberland—arrived from the Continent to be present +on the occasion; and as he was well known to be an ardent Tory, +his reception on the part of the people was not of the most +flattering description. As a consequence of this, and +owing, perhaps, to an expression that fell from the Duke, that +“popularity is only a shadow,” the caricature made +its appearance. In the foreground of the print is seen a +striking likeness of the royal Duke in the costume of the Order +of the Garter. On his right stands the King, with the crown +on his head, and reflecting a goodly shadow on the wall. +Between the King and his brother are some courtiers, who exclaim, +in a tone of commiseration, “Lost, or stolen, a +gentleman’s shadow.” At the bottom of the print +is the following inscription:—</p> +<blockquote><p style="text-align: center"><span +class="GutSmall">“PETER SCHLEMIHL AT THE +CORONATION.</span></p> +<p>Granted that popularity is nothing but a shadow, it is still +far from pleasant to be without that shadow.”</p> +</blockquote> +<h3>BRIEF SKETCH OF CHAMISSO’S LIFE.</h3> +<p>Louis Adelbert de Chamisso was born January 27, 1781, at +Beaucourt, in Champagne. At the Revolution, he left France +with his parents, and came to Berlin, where, in 1796, he was +appointed page to the King, and soon after had a commission given +him in the army. He applied himself with much ardour to +acquire the German language, and felt great interest in the study +of its literature, particularly its poetry and philosophy, and +was most attracted by those writers whose character presented the +greatest contrast to that of his own countrymen. By +intercourse with the learned, and by the friendships which he +formed, he soon became thoroughly German, which he proved by his +poems, which were distinguished above the crowd of such +compositions by the originality of their style, and peculiar +vigour. From 1804 to 1806 he published the “Almanack +of the Muses,” in conjunction with Varnhagen von +Ense. At the peace of Tilsit he left the army, and visited +France, when his family obtained back part of their +possessions. At this time he held, for a short period, a +situation as Professor at the school of Napoleonville, but soon +returned to Germany, devoting himself wholly to a literary life, +and in particular to the study of natural history. During +his visit to France, he spent some time with Madame de +Staël, whom he also visited in Switzerland. In 1811 he +returned to Berlin; and in 1813 he wrote his “Peter +Schlemihl,” which marked him out as a man of distinguished +and original genius. It was published in 1814 by his friend +Fouqué. When Count Runnjanzow resolved on +undertaking a voyage round the world, he invited Chamisso to +accompany him as naturalist to the expedition—an invitation +which he gladly embraced. The ships left Cronstadt in 1815, +and returned in 1818; and although the discovery of a North-West +passage—the great object of the expedition—was not +attained, yet extensive acquisitions were made in every +department of scientific research. Chamisso’s share +in the voyage is recorded in the third volume of the account of +it published at Weimar in 1821, and does honour to his spirit of +careful observation and his accuracy. He now again fixed +his residence at Berlin, from whose university he received the +degree of doctor in philosophy. An appointment at the +Botanic Garden allowed him full liberty to follow up his +favourite pursuit of natural history, and bound him by still +stronger ties to his second fatherland. He now wrote an +account of the principal plants of the North of Germany, with +views respecting the vegetable kingdom and the science of botany: +this work appeared at Berlin in 1827. Poetry, however, had +still some share of his attention; and he continued, during the +latter years of his life, to maintain his claims to an honourable +place among the poets of Germany. Several of his ballads +and romances rank with the most distinguished of modern times in +this branch of composition. Surrounded by a circle of +attached and admiring friends, Chamisso continued thus entirely +engaged till his death, in 1839, leaving behind him a name and +works which posterity “will not willingly let +perish.”</p> +<h3>FROM THE BARON DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ TO JULIUS EDWARD +HITZIG.</h3> +<p style="text-align: center">[<i>From the first +edition</i>.]</p> +<p>We should take care, my dear Edward, not to expose the history +of poor Schlemihl to eyes unfit to look upon it. That would +be a bad experiment. Of such eyes there are plenty; and who +is able to predict what may befal a <i>manuscript</i>, which is +almost more difficult to guard than spoken language? Like a +person seized with vertigo, therefore, who, in the paroxysm of +his feelings, leaps into the abyss, I commit the story to the +press.</p> +<p>And yet there are better and more serious reasons for the step +I have taken. If I am not wholly deceived, there are in our +dear Germany many hearts both capable and worthy of comprehending +poor Schlemihl, although a smile will arise on the countenance of +many among our honest countrymen at the bitter sport which was +death to him and to the innocent being whom he drew along with +him. And you, Edward, when you have seen the estimable +work, and reflected on the number of unknown and sympathising +bosoms who, with ourselves, will learn to love it,—you +will, then, perhaps, feel that some drops of consolation have +been instilled into those wounds inflicted on you, and on all who +love you, by death.</p> +<p>To conclude: I have become convinced, by repeated experience, +that a guardian angel watches over books, places them in proper +hands, and if not always, yet often, prevents them from falling +into improper. In any case, he exercises an invisible +guardianship over every work of true genius and genuine feeling, +and with unfailing tact and skill opens or shuts its pages as he +sees fit.</p> +<p>To this guardian angel I commit our +“Schlemihl.” And so, adieu!</p> +<p style="text-align: right">FOUQUÉ.</p> +<p><i>Neunhausen</i>, <i>May</i>, 1814.</p> +<h2>THE STORY WITHOUT AN END.</h2> +<h3>TO MY DAUGHTER</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Child</span>,</p> +<p>The story you love so much in German I dedicate to you in +English. It was in compliance with your earnest wish that +other children might share the delight it has so often afforded +you, that I translated it; so that it is, in some sort, yours of +right. Let us hope that your confident expectations of +sympathy in your pleasure may not be disappointed; or that, if +others think the story less beautiful than you do, they may find +compensation in the graceful designs it has inspired.</p> +<p>You have often regretted that it left off so soon, and would, +I believe, “have been glad to hear more and more, and for +ever.” The continuation you have longed for lies in a +wide and magnificent book, which contains more wonderful and +glorious things than all our favourite fairy tales put +together. But to read in that book, so as to discover all +its beautiful meanings, you must have pure, clear eyes, and an +humble, loving heart; otherwise you will complain, as some do, +that it is dim and puzzling; or, as others that it is dull and +monotonous.</p> +<p>May you continue to read in it with new curiosity, new +delight, and new profit; and to find it, as long as you live, the +untiring “Story without an End.”</p> +<p style="text-align: center">Your affectionate mother,</p> +<p style="text-align: right">S. A.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was once a Child who lived in +a little hut, and in the hut there was nothing but a little bed +and a looking-glass which hung in a dark corner. Now the +Child cared nothing at all about the looking-glass; but as soon +as the first sunbeam glided softly through the casement, and +kissed his sweet eyelids, and the finch and the linnet waked him +merrily with their morning songs, he arose, and went out into the +green meadow. And he begged flour of the primrose, and +sugar of the violet, and butter of the buttercup; he shook +dewdrops from the cowslip into the cup of a harebell; spread out +a large lime-leaf, set his little breakfast upon it, and feasted +daintily. Sometimes he invited a humming-bee, oftener a gay +butterfly, to partake his feast; but his favourite guest was the +blue dragon-fly. The bee murmured a good deal, in a solemn +tone, about his riches; but the Child thought that if he were a +bee, heaps of treasure would not make him gay and happy; and that +it must be much more delightful and glorious to float about in +the free and fresh breezes of spring, and to hum joyously in the +web of the sunbeams, than, with heavy feet and heavy heart, to +stow the silver wax and the golden honey into cells.</p> +<p>To this the Butterfly assented; and he told how once on a +time, he too had been greedy and sordid; how he had thought of +nothing but eating, and had never once turned his eyes upwards to +the blue heavens. At length, however, a complete change had +come over him; and instead of crawling spiritless about the dirty +earth, half dreaming, he all at once awaked as out of a deep +sleep. And now he would rise into the air;—and it was +his greatest joy sometimes to play with the light, and to reflect +the heavens in the bright eyes of his wings; sometimes to listen +to the soft language of the flowers, and catch their +secrets. Such talk delighted the Child, and his breakfast +was the sweeter to him, and the sunshine on leaf and flower +seemed to him more bright and cheering.</p> +<p>But when the Bee had flown off to beg from flower to flower, +and the Butterfly had fluttered away to his playfellows, the +Dragon-fly still remained, poised on a blade of grass. Her +slender and burnished body, more brightly and deeply blue than +the deep blue sky, glistened in the sun beam; and her net-like +wings laughed at the flowers because <i>they</i> could not fly, +but must stand still and abide the wind and the rain. The +Dragon-fly sipped a little of the Child’s clear dew-drops +and blue violet-honey, and then whispered her winged words. +And the Child made an end of his repast, closed his dark blue +eyes, bent down his beautiful head, and listened to the sweet +prattle.</p> + +<div class="gapspace"> </div> +<p>Then the Dragon-fly told much of the merry life in the green +wood; how sometimes she played hide-and-seek with her playfellows +under the broad leaves of the oak and the beech trees; or +hunt-the-hare along the surface of the still waters; sometimes +quietly watched the sunbeams, as they flew busily from moss to +flower and from flower to bush, and shed life and warmth over +all. But at night, she said, the moonbeams glided softly +around the wood, and dropped dew into the mouths of all the +thirsty plants; and when the dawn pelted the slumberers with the +soft roses of heaven, some of the half-drunken flowers looked up +and smiled; but most of them could not so much as raise their +heads for a long, long time.</p> +<p>Such stories did the Dragon-fly tell; and as the Child sat +motionless with his eyes shut, and his head rested on his little +hand, she thought he had fallen asleep; so she poised her double +wings and flew into the rustling wood.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the Child was only sunk into a +dream of delight, and was wishing <i>he</i> were a sunbeam or a +moonbeam; and he would have been glad to hear more and more, and +for ever. But at last, as all was still, he opened his eyes +and looked around for his dear guest; but she was flown far away; +so he could not bear to sit there any longer alone, and he rose +and went to the gurgling brook. It gushed and rolled so +merrily, and tumbled so wildly along as it hurried to throw +itself head over heels into the river, just as if the great massy +rock out of which it sprang were close behind it, and could only +be escaped by a break-neck leap.</p> +<p>Then the Child began to talk to the little waves, and asked +them whence they came. They would not stay to give him an +answer, but danced away, one over another; till at last, that the +sweet Child might not be grieved, a drop of water stopped behind +a piece of rock. From her the Child heard strange +histories, but he could not understand them all, for she told him +about her former life, and about the depths of the mountain.</p> +<p>“A long while ago,” said the Drop of Water, +“I lived with my countless sisters in the great ocean, in +peace and unity. We had all sorts of pastimes; sometimes we +mounted up high into the air, and peeped at the stars; then we +sank plump down deep below, and looked how the coral builders +work till they are tired, that they may reach the light of day at +last. But I was conceited, and thought myself much better +than my sisters. And so one day, when the sun rose out of +the sea, I clung fast to one of his hot beams, and thought that +now I should reach the stars, and become one of them. But I +had not ascended far, when the sunbeam shook me off, and in spite +of all I could say or do, let me fall into a dark cloud. +And soon a flash of fire darted through the cloud, and now I +thought I must surely die; but the whole cloud laid itself down +softly upon the top of a mountain, and so I escaped with my +fright, and a black eye. Now I thought I should remain +hidden, when all on a sudden I slipped over a round pebble, fell +from one stone to another, down into the depths of the mountain, +till at last it was pitch dark, and I could neither see nor hear +anything. Then I found, indeed, that ‘pride goeth +before a fall,’ resigned myself to my fate, and, as I had +already laid aside all my unhappy pride in the cloud, my portion +was now the salt of humility; and after undergoing many +purifications from the hidden virtues of metals and minerals, I +was at length permitted to come up once more into the free +cheerful air; and now will I run back to my sisters, and there +wait patiently till I am called to something better.”</p> +<p>But hardly had she done when the root of a forget-me-not +caught the drop of water by her hair and sucked her in, that she +might become a floweret, and twinkle brightly as a blue star on +the green firmament of earth.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Child did not very well know +what to think of all this: he went thoughtfully home and laid +himself on his little bed; and all night long he was wandering +about on the ocean, and among the stars, and over the dark +mountain. But the moon loved to look on the slumbering +Child as he lay with his little head softly pillowed on his right +arm. She lingered a long time before his little window, and +went slowly away to lighten the dark chamber of some sick +person.</p> +<p>As the moon’s soft light lay on the Child’s +eyelids, he fancied he sat in a golden boat, on a great, great +water; countless stars swam glittering on the dark mirror. +He stretched out his hand to catch the nearest star, but it had +vanished, and the water sprayed up against him. Then he saw +clearly that these were not the real stars; he looked up to +heaven, and wished he could fly thither.</p> +<p>But in the meantime the moon had wandered on her way; and now +the Child was led in his dream into the clouds, and he thought he +was sitting on a white sheep, and he saw many lambs grazing +around him. He tried to catch a little lamb to play with, +but it was all mist and vapour; and the Child was sorrowful, and +wished himself down again in his own meadow, where his own lamb +was sporting gaily about.</p> +<p>Meanwhile the moon was gone to sleep behind the mountains, and +all around was dark. Then the Child dreamt that he fell +down into the dark, gloomy caverns of the mountain, and at that +he was so frightened, that he suddenly awoke, just as morning +opened her clear eye over the nearest hill.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Child started up, and, to +recover himself from his fright, went into the little +flower-garden behind his cottage, where the beds were surrounded +by ancient palm-trees, and where he knew that all the flowers +would nod kindly at him. But, behold, the Tulip turned up +her nose, and the Ranunculus held her head as stiffly as +possible, that she might not bow good-morrow to him. The +Rose, with her fair round cheeks, smiled and greeted the Child +lovingly; so he went up to her and kissed her fragrant +mouth. And then the Rose tenderly complained that he so +seldom came into the garden, and that she gave out her bloom and +her fragrance the live-long day in vain; for the other flowers +could not see her, because they were too low, or did not care to +look at her, because they themselves were so rich in bloom and +fragrance. But she was most delighted when she glowed in +the blooming head of a child, and could pour out all her +heart’s secrets to him in sweet odours. Among other +things, the Rose whispered in his ear that she was the fulness of +beauty.</p> +<p>And in truth the Child, while looking at her beauty, seemed to +have quite forgotten to go on; till the Blue Larkspur called to +him, and asked whether he cared nothing more about his faithful +friend; she said that she was unchanged, and that even in death +she should look upon him with eyes of unfading blue.</p> +<p>The Child thanked her for her true-heartedness, and passed on +to the Hyacinth, who stood near the puffy, full-cheeked, gaudy +Tulips. Even from a distance the Hyacinth sent forth kisses +to him, for she knew not how to express her love. Although +she was not remarkable for her beauty, yet the Child felt himself +wondrously attracted by her, for he thought no flower loved him +so well. But the Hyacinth poured out her full heart and +wept bitterly, because she stood so lonely; the Tulips indeed +were her countrymen, but they were so cold and unfeeling that she +was ashamed of them. The Child encouraged her, and told her +he did not think things were so bad as she fancied. The +Tulips spoke their love in bright looks, while she uttered hers +in fragrant words; that these, indeed, were lovelier and more +intelligible, but that the others were not to be despised.</p> +<p>Then the Hyacinth was comforted, and said she would be +content; and the Child went on to the powdered Auricula, who, in +her bashfulness, looked kindly up to him, and would gladly have +given him more than kind looks, had she had more to give. +But the Child was satisfied with her modest greeting; he felt +that he was poor too, and he saw the deep, thoughtful colours +that lay beneath her golden dust. But the humble flower, of +her own accord, sent him to her neighbour, the Lily, whom she +willingly acknowledged as her queen. And when the Child +came to the Lily, the slender flower waved to and fro and bowed +her pale head with gentle pride and stately modesty, and sent +forth a fragrant greeting to him. The Child knew not what +had come to him: it reached his inmost heart, so that his eyes +filled with soft tears. Then he marked how the lily gazed +with a clear and steadfast eye upon the sun, and how the sun +looked down again into her pure chalice, and how, amid this +interchange of looks, the three golden threads united in the +centre. And the Child heard how one scarlet Lady-bird at +the bottom of the cup said to another, “Knowest thou not +that we dwell in the flower of heaven?” and the other +replied, “Yes; and now will the mystery be +fulfilled.” And as the Child saw and heard all this, +the dim image of his unknown parents, as it were veiled in a holy +light, floated before his eyes: he strove to grasp it, but the +light was gone, and the Child slipped, and would have fallen, had +not the branch of a currant bush caught and held him; and he took +some of the bright berries for his morning’s meal, and went +back to his hut and stripped the little branches.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER V.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> in the hut he stayed not long, +all was so gloomy, close, and silent within, and abroad +everything seemed to smile, and to exult in the clear and +unbounded space. Therefore the Child went out into the +green wood, of which the Dragon-fly had told him such pleasant +stories. But he found everything far more beautiful and +lovely even than she had described it; for all about, wherever he +went, the tender moss pressed his little feet, and the delicate +grass embraced his knees, and the flowers kissed his hands, and +even the branches stroked his cheeks with a kind and refreshing +touch, and the high trees threw their fragrant shade around +him.</p> +<p>There was no end to his delight. The little birds +warbled and sang, and fluttered and hopped about, and the +delicate wood-flowers gave out their beauty and their odours; and +every sweet sound took a sweet odour by the hand, and thus walked +through the open door of the Child’s heart, and held a +joyous nuptial dance therein. But the Nightingale and the +Lily of the Valley led the dance; for the Nightingale sang of +nought but love, and the Lily breathed of nought but innocence, +and he was the bridegroom and she was the bride. And the +Nightingale was never weary of repeating the same thing a hundred +times over, for the spring of love which gushed from his heart +was ever new—and the Lily bowed her head bashfully, that no +one might see her glowing heart. And yet the one lived so +solely and entirely in the other, that no one could see whether +the notes of the Nightingale were floating lilies, or the lilies +visible notes, falling like dewdrops from the Nightingale’s +throat.</p> +<p>The Child’s heart was full of joy even to the +brim. He set himself down, and he almost thought he should +like to take root there, and live for ever among the sweet plants +and flowers, and so become a true sharer in all their gentle +pleasures. For he felt a deep delight in the still, +secluded, twilight existence of the mosses and small herbs, which +felt not the storm, nor the frost, nor the scorching sunbeam; but +dwelt quietly among their many friends and neighbours, feasting +in peace and good fellowship on the dew and cool shadows which +the mighty trees shed upon them. To them it was a high +festival when a sunbeam chanced to visit their lowly home; whilst +the tops of the lofty trees could find joy and beauty only in the +purple rays of morning or evening.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER VI.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">And</span> as the Child sat there, a +little Mouse rustled from among the dry leaves of the former +year, and a Lizard half glided from a crevice in the rock, and +both of them fixed their bright eyes upon the little stranger; +and when they saw that he designed them no evil, they took +courage and came nearer to him.</p> +<p>“I should like to live with you,” said the Child +to the two little creatures, in a soft, subdued voice, that he +might not frighten them. “Your chambers are so snug, +so warm, and yet so shaded, and the flowers grow in at your +windows, and the birds sing you their morning song, and call you +to table and to bed with their clear warblings.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said the Mouse, “it would be all very +well if all the plants bore nuts and mast, instead of those silly +flowers; and if I were not obliged to grub under ground in the +spring, and gnaw the bitter roots, whilst they are dressing +themselves in their fine flowers and flaunting it to the world, +as if they had endless stores of honey in their +cellars.”</p> +<p>“Hold your tongue,” interrupted the Lizard, +pertly; “do you think, because you are grey, that other +people must throw away their handsome clothes, or let them lie in +the dark wardrobe under ground, and wear nothing but grey +too? I am not so envious. The flowers may dress +themselves as they like for me; they pay for it out of their own +pockets, and they feed bees and beetles from their cups; but what +I want to know is, of what use are birds in the world? Such +a fluttering and chattering, truly, from morning early to evening +late, that one is worried and stunned to death, and there is +never a day’s peace for them. And they do nothing; +only snap up the flies and the spiders out of the mouths of such +as I. For my part, I should be perfectly satisfied, +provided all the birds in the world were flies and +beetles.”</p> +<p>The Child changed colour, and his heart was sick and saddened +when he heard their evil tongues. He could not imagine how +anybody could speak ill of the beautiful flowers, or scoff at his +beloved birds. He was waked out of a sweet dream, and the +wood seemed to him lonely and desert, and he was ill at +ease. He started up hastily, so that the Mouse and the +Lizard shrank back alarmed, and did not look around them till +they thought themselves safe out of the reach of the stranger +with the large, severe eyes.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER VII.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the Child went away from the +place; and as he hung down his head thoughtfully, he did not +observe that he took the wrong path, nor see how the flowers on +either side bowed their heads to welcome him, nor hear how the +old birds from the boughs, and the young from the nests, cried +aloud to him, “God bless thee, our dear little +prince!” And he went on and on, farther and farther, +into the deep wood; and he thought over the foolish and heartless +talk of the two selfish chatterers, and could not understand +it. He would fain have forgotten it, but he could +not. And the more he pondered, the more it seemed to him as +if a malicious spider had spun her web around him, and as if his +eyes were weary with trying to look through it.</p> +<p>And suddenly he came to a still water, above which young +beeches lovingly entwined their arms. He looked in the +water, and his eyes were riveted to it as if by +enchantment. He could not move, but stood and gazed in the +soft, placid mirror, from the bosom of which the tender green +foliage, with the deep blue heavens between, gleamed so +wondrously upon him. His sorrow was all forgotten, and even +the echo of the discord in his little heart was hushed. +That heart was once more in his eyes; and fain would he have +drunk in the soft beauty of the colours that lay beneath him, or +have plunged into the lovely deep.</p> +<p>Then the breeze began to sigh among the treetops. The +Child raised his eyes and saw overhead the quivering green, and +the deep blue behind it, and he knew not whether he were waking +or dreaming: which were the real leaves and the real +heaven—those in the depths above or in the depths +beneath? Long did the Child waver, and his thoughts floated +in a delicious dreaminess from one to the other, till the +Dragon-fly flew to him in affectionate haste, and with rustling +wings greeted her kind host. The Child returned her +greeting, and was glad to meet an acquaintance with whom he could +share the rich feast of his joy. But first he asked the +Dragon-fly if she could decide for him between the Upper and the +Nether—the height and the depth? The Dragon-fly flew +above, and beneath, and around; but the Water +spake:—“The foliage and the sky above are not the +true ones: the leaves wither and fall; the sky is often overcast, +and sometimes quite dark.” Then the Leaves and the +Sky said, “The water only apes us; it must change its +pictures at our pleasure, and can retain none.” Then +the Dragon-fly remarked that the height and the depth existed +only in the eyes of the Child, and that the Leaves and the Sky +were true and real only in his thoughts; because in the mind +alone the picture was permanent and enduring, and could be +carried with him whithersoever he went.</p> +<p>This she said to the Child; but she immediately warned him to +return, for the leaves were already beating the tattoo in the +evening breeze, and the lights were disappearing one by one in +every corner. Then the Child confessed to her with alarm +that he knew not how he should find the way back, and that he +feared the dark night would overtake him if he attempted to go +home alone; so the Dragon-fly flew on before him, and showed him +a cave in the rock where he might pass the night.</p> +<p>And the Child was well content; for he had often wished to try +if he could sleep out of his accustomed bed.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the Dragon-fly was fleet, and +gratitude strengthened her wings to pay her host the honour she +owed him. And truly, in the dim twilight good counsel and +guidance were scarce. She flitted hither and thither +without knowing rightly what was to be done; when, by the last +vanishing sunbeam, she saw hanging on the edge of the cave some +strawberries who had drunk so deep of the evening-red, that their +heads were quite heavy. Then she flew up to a Harebell who +stood near, and whispered in her ear that the lord and king of +all the flowers was in the wood, and ought to be received and +welcomed as beseemed his dignity. Aglaia did not need that +this should be repeated. She began to ring her sweet bells +with all her might; and when her neighbour heard the sound, she +rang hers also; and soon all the Harebells, great and small, were +in motion, and rang as if it had been for the nuptials of their +Mother Earth herself with the Prince of the Sun. The tone +of the Bluebells was deep and rich, and that of the white, high +and clear, and all blended together in a delicious harmony.</p> +<p>But the birds were fast asleep in their high nests, and the +ears of the other animals were not delicate enough, or were too +much overgrown with hair, to hear them. The Fire-flies +alone heard the joyous peal, for they were akin to the flowers, +through their common ancestor, Light. They inquired of +their nearest relation, the Lily of the Valley, and from her they +heard that a large flower had just passed along the footpath more +blooming than the loveliest rose, and with two stars more +brilliant than those of the brightest fire-fly, and that it must +needs be their King. Then all the Fire-flies flew up and +down the footpath, and sought everywhere, till at length they +came, as the Dragon-fly had hoped they would, to the cave.</p> +<p>And now, as they looked at the Child, and every one of them +saw itself reflected in his clear eyes, they rejoiced +exceedingly, and called all their fellows together, and alighted +on the bushes all around; and soon it was so light in the cave, +that herb and grass began to grow as if it had been broad +day. Now, indeed, was the joy and triumph of the Dragon-fly +complete. The Child was delighted with the merry and +silvery tones of the bells, and with the many little bright-eyed +companions around him, and with the deep red strawberries which +bowed down their heads to his touch.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER IX.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">And</span> when he had eaten his fill, he +sat down on the soft moss, crossed one little leg over the other, +and began to gossip with the Fire-flies. And as he so often +thought on his unknown parents, he asked them who were their +parents. Then the one nearest to him gave him answer; and +he told how that they were formerly flowers, but none of those +who thrust their rooty hands greedily into the ground and draw +nourishment from the dingy earth, only to make themselves fat and +large withal; but that the light was dearer to them than +anything, even at night; and while the other flowers slept, they +gazed unwearied on the light, and drank it in with eager +adoration—sun, and moon, and star light. And the +light had so thoroughly purified them, that they had not sucked +in poisonous juices like the yellow flowers of the earth, but +sweet odours for sick and fainting hearts, and oil of potent +ethereal virtue for the weak and the wounded; and at length, when +their autumn came, they did not, like the others, wither and sink +down, leaf and flower, to be swallowed up by the darksome earth, +but shook off their earthly garment and mounted aloft, into the +clear air. But there it was so wondrously bright, that +sight failed them; and when they came to themselves again, they +were fire-flies, each sitting on a withered flower-stalk.</p> +<p>And now the Child liked the bright-eyed flies better than +ever; and he talked a little longer with them, and inquired why +they showed themselves so much more in spring. They did it, +they said, in the hope that their gold-green radiance might +allure their cousins, the flowers, to the pure love of light.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER X.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">During</span> this conversation the +dragon-fly had been preparing a bed for her host. The moss +upon which the Child sat had grown a foot high behind his back, +out of pure joy; but the dragon-fly and her sisters had so +revelled upon it, that it was now laid at its length along the +cave. The dragon-fly had awakened every spider in the +neighbourhood out of her sleep, and when they saw the brilliant +light, they had set to work spinning so industriously that their +web hung down like a curtain before the mouth of the cave. +But as the Child saw the ant peeping up at him, he entreated the +fire-flies not to deprive themselves any longer of their merry +games in the wood on his account. And the dragon-fly and +her sisters raised the curtain till the Child had laid him down +to rest, and then let it fall again, that the mischievous gnats +might not get in to disturb his slumbers.</p> +<p>The Child laid himself down to sleep, for he was very tired; +but he could not sleep, for his couch of moss was quite another +thing than his little bed, and the cave was all strange to +him.</p> +<p>He turned himself on one side and then on the other, and, as +nothing would do, he raised himself and sat upright to wait till +sleep might choose to come. But sleep would not come at +all; and the only wakeful eyes in the whole wood were the +Child’s. For the harebells had rung themselves weary, +and the fire-flies had flown about till they were tired, and even +the dragon-fly, who would fain have kept watch in front of the +cave, had dropped sound asleep.</p> +<p>The wood grew stiller and stiller; here and there fell a dry +leaf which had been driven from its old dwelling place by a fresh +one; here and there a young bird gave a soft chirp when its +mother squeezed it in the nest; and from time to time a gnat +hummed for a minute or two in the curtain, till a spider crept on +tip-toe along its web, and gave him such a gripe in the wind-pipe +as soon spoiled his trumpeting.</p> +<p>And the deeper the silence became, the more intently did the +Child listen, and at last the slightest sound thrilled him from +head to foot. At length, all was still as death in the +wood; and the world seemed as if it never would wake again. +The Child bent forward to see whether it were as dark abroad as +in the cave, but he saw nothing save the pitch-dark night, who +had wrapped everything in her thick veil. Yet as he looked +upwards his eyes met the friendly glance of two or three stars, +and this was a most joyful surprise to him, for he felt himself +no longer so entirely alone. The stars were, indeed, far, +far away, but yet he knew them, and they knew him; for they +looked into his eyes.</p> +<p>The Child’s whole soul was fixed in his gaze; and it +seemed to him as if he must needs fly out of the darksome cave, +thither where the stars were beaming with such pure and serene +light; and he felt how poor and lowly he was, when he thought of +their brilliancy; and how cramped and fettered, when he thought +of their free unbounded course along the heavens.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER XI.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">But</span> the stars went on their course, +and left their glittering picture only a little while before the +Child’s eyes. Even this faded, and then vanished +quite away. And he was beginning to feel tired, and to wish +to lay himself down again, when a flickering +Will-o’-the-wisp appeared from behind a bush—so that +the Child thought, at first, one of the stars had wandered out of +its way, and had come to visit him, and to take him with +it. And the Child breathed quick with joy and surprise, and +then the Will-o’-the-wisp came nearer, and sat himself down +on a damp mossy stone in front of the cave, and another fluttered +quickly after him, and sat down over against him and sighed +deeply, “Thank God, then, that I can rest at +last!”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said the other, “for that you may +thank the innocent Child who sleeps there within; it was his pure +breath that freed us.”</p> +<p>“Are you, then,” said the Child, hesitatingly, +“not of yon stars which wander so brightly there +above?”</p> +<p>“Oh, if we were stars,” replied the first, +“we should pursue our tranquil path through the pure +element, and should leave this wood and the whole darksome earth +to itself.”</p> +<p>“And not,” said the other, “sit brooding on +the face of the shallow pool.”</p> +<p>The Child was curious to know who these could be who shone so +beautifully, and yet seemed so discontented. Then the first +began to relate how he had been a child too, and how, as he grew +up, it had always been his greatest delight to deceive people and +play them tricks, to show his wit and cleverness. He had +always, he said, poured such a stream of smooth words over +people, and encompassed himself with such a shining mist, that +men had been attracted by it to their own hurt. But once on +a time there appeared a plain man, who only spoke two or three +simple words, and suddenly the bright mist vanished, and left him +naked and deformed, to the scorn and mockery of the whole +world. But the man had turned away his face from him in +pity, while he was almost dead with shame and anger. And +when he came to himself again, he knew not what had befallen him, +till, at length, he found that it was his fate to hover, without +rest or change, over the surface of the bog as a +Will-o’-the-wisp.</p> +<p>“With me it fell out quite otherwise,” said the +first: “instead of giving light without warmth, as I now +do, I burned without shining. When I was only a child, +people gave way to me in everything, so that I was intoxicated +with self-love. If I saw any one shine, I longed to put out +his light; and the more intensely I wished this, the more did my +own small glimmering turn back upon myself, and inwardly burn +fiercely while all without was darker than ever. But if any +one who shone more brightly would have kindly given me of his +light, then did my inward flame burst forth to destroy him. +But the flame passed through the light and harmed it not; it +shone only the more brightly, while I was withered and +exhausted. And once upon a time I met a little smiling +child, who played with a cross of palm branches, and wore a beamy +coronet around his golden locks. He took me kindly by the +hand and said, ‘My friend, you are now very gloomy and sad, +but if you will become a child again, even as I am, you will have +a bright circlet such as I have.’ When I heard that, +I was so angry with myself and with the child, that I was +scorched by my inward fire. Now would I fain fly up to the +sun to fetch rays from him, but the rays drove me back with these +words:</p> +<p>‘Return thither whence thou camest, thou dark fire of +envy, for the sun lightens only in love; the greedy earth, +indeed, sometimes turns his mild light into scorching fire. +Fly back, then, for with thy like alone must thou +dwell.’ I fell, and when I recovered myself I was +glimmering coldly above the stagnant waters.”</p> +<p>While they were talking the Child had fallen asleep, for he +knew nothing of the world nor of men, and he could make nothing +of their stories. Weariness had spoken a more intelligible +language to him—<i>that</i> he understood, and he had +fallen asleep.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER XII.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">Softly</span> and soundly he slept till +the rosy morning clouds stood upon the mountain, and announced +the coming of their lord, the sun. But as soon as the +tidings spread over field and wood, the thousand-voiced echo +awoke, and sleep was no more to be thought of.</p> +<p>And soon did the royal sun himself arise; at first his +dazzling diadem alone appeared above the mountains; at length he +stood upon their summit in the full majesty of his beauty, in all +the charms of eternal youth, bright and glorious, his kindly +glance embracing every creature of earth, from the stately oak to +the blade of grass bending under the foot of the wayfaring +man. Then arose from every breast, from every throat, the +joyous song of praise; and it was as if the whole plain and wood +were become a temple, whose roof was the heaven, whose altar the +mountain, whose congregation all creatures, whose priest the +sun.</p> +<p>But the Child walked forth and was glad, for the birds sang +sweetly, and it seemed to him as if everything sported and danced +out of mere joy to be alive. Here flew two finches through +the thicket, and, twittering, pursued each other; there, the +young buds burst asunder, and the tender leaves peeped out and +expanded themselves in the warm sun, as if they would abide in +his glance for ever; here, a dewdrop trembled, sparkling and +twinkling on a blade of grass, and knew not that beneath him +stood a little moss who was thirsting after him; there, troops of +flies flew aloft, as if they would soar far, far over the wood: +and so all was life and motion, and the Child’s heart joyed +to see it.</p> +<p>He sat down on a little smooth plot of turf, shaded by the +branches of a nut-bush, and thought he should now sip the cup of +his delight, drop by drop. And first he plucked down some +brambles which threatened him with their prickles; then he bent +aside some branches which concealed the view; then he removed the +stones, so that he might stretch out his feet at full length on +the soft turf; and when he had done all this, he bethought +himself what was yet to do; and as he found nothing, he stood up +to look for his acquaintance the dragon-fly, and to beg her to +guide him once more out of the wood into the open fields. +About midway he met her, and she began to excuse herself for +having fallen asleep in the night. The Child thought not of +the past, were it even but a minute ago, so earnestly did he now +wish to get out from among the thick and close trees; for his +heart beat high, and he felt as if he should breathe freer in the +open ground. The dragon-fly flew on before and showed him +the way as far as the outermost verge of the wood, whence the +Child could espy his own little hut, and then flew away to her +playfellows.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Child walked forth alone upon +the fresh dewy cornfield. A thousand little suns glittered +in his eyes, and a lark soared warbling above his head. And +the lark proclaimed the joys of the coming year, and awakened +endless hopes, while she soared circling higher and higher, till, +at length, her song was like the soft whisper of an angel holding +converse with the spring, under the blue arch of heaven. +The Child had seen the earth-coloured little bird rise up before +him, and it seemed to him as if the earth had sent her forth from +her bosom as a messenger to carry her joy and her thanks up to +the sun, because he had turned his beaming countenance again upon +her in love and bounty. And the lark hung poised above the +hope-giving field, and warbled her clear and joyous song.</p> +<p>She sang of the loveliness of the rosy dawn, and the fresh +brilliancy of the earliest sunbeams; of the gladsome springing of +the young flowers, and the vigorous shooting of the corn; and her +song pleased the Child beyond measure.</p> +<p>But the lark wheeled in higher and higher circles, and her +song sounded softer and sweeter.</p> +<p>And now she sang of the first delights of early love; of +wanderings together on the sunny fresh hilltops, and of the sweet +pictures and visions that arise out of the blue and misty +distance. The Child understood not rightly what he heard, +and fain would he have understood, for he thought that even in +such visions must be wondrous delight. He gazed aloft after +the unwearied bird, but she had disappeared in the morning +mist.</p> +<p>Then the Child leaned his head on one shoulder to listen if he +could no longer hear the little messenger of spring; and he could +just catch the distant and quivering notes in which she sang of +the fervent longing after the clear element of freedom, after the +pure all-present light, and of the blessed foretaste of this +desired enfranchisement, of this blending in the sea of celestial +happiness.</p> +<p>Yet longer did he listen, for the tones of her song carried +him there, where, as yet, his thoughts had never reached, and he +felt himself happier in this short and imperfect flight than ever +he had felt before. But the lark now dropped suddenly to +the earth, for her little body was too heavy for the ambient +ether, and her wings were not large nor strong enough for the +pure element.</p> +<p>Then the red corn-poppies laughed at the homely looking bird, +and cried to one another and to the surrounding blades of corn in +a shrill voice, “Now, indeed, you may see what comes of +flying so high, and striving and straining after mere air; people +only lose their time, and bring back nothing but weary wings and +an empty stomach. That vulgar-looking ill-dressed little +creature would fain raise herself above us all, and has kept up a +mighty noise. And now there she lies on the ground and can +hardly breathe, while we have stood still where we are sure of a +good meal, and have stayed, like people of sense, where there is +something substantial to be had; and in the time she has been +fluttering and singing, we have grown a good deal taller and +fatter.”</p> +<p>The other little redcaps chattered and screamed their assent +so loud that the Child’s ears tingled, and he wished he +could chastise them for their spiteful jeers; when a cyane said, +in a soft voice, to her younger playmates, “Dear friends, +be not led astray by outward show, nor by discourse which regards +only outward show. The lark is, indeed, weary, and the +space into which she has soared is void; but the void is not what +the lark sought, nor is the seeker returned empty home. She +strove after light and freedom, and light and freedom has she +proclaimed. She left the earth and its enjoyments, but she +has drunk of the pure air of heaven, and has seen that it is not +the earth, but the sun that is steadfast. And if earth has +called her back, it can keep nothing of her but what is its +own. Her sweet voice and her soaring wings belong to the +sun, and will enter into light and freedom long after the foolish +prater shall have sunk and been buried in the dark prison of the +earth.”</p> +<p>And the lark heard her wise and friendly discourse, and with +renewed strength she sprang once more into the clear and +beautiful blue.</p> +<p>Then the Child clapped his little hands for joy, that the +sweet bird had flown up again, and that the redcaps must hold +their tongues for shame.</p> +<h3>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">And</span> the Child was become happy and +joyful, and breathed freely again, and thought no more of +returning to his hut, for he saw that nothing returned inwards, +but rather that all strove outwards into the free air; the rosy +apple blossoms from their narrow buds, and the gurgling notes +from the narrow breast of the lark. The germs burst open +the folding doors of the seeds, and broke through the heavy +pressure of the earth in order to get at the light; the grasses +tore asunder their bands, and their slender blades sprung +upward. Even the rocks were become gentle, and allowed +little mosses to peep out from their sides, as a sign that they +would not remain impenetrably closed for ever. And the +flowers sent out colour and fragrance into the whole world, for +they kept not their best for themselves, but would imitate the +sun and the stars, which poured their warmth and radiance over +the spring. And many a little gnat and beetle burst the +narrow cell in which it was enclosed and crept out slowly, and, +half asleep, unfolded and shook its tender wings, and soon gained +strength, and flew off to untried delights. And as the +butterflies came forth from their chrysalids in all their gaiety +and splendour, so did every humbled and suppressed aspiration and +hope free itself, and boldly launch into the open and flowing sea +of spring.</p> +<h2>HYMNS TO NIGHT.</h2> +<p style="text-align: center">(<i>Translated from the German of +Novalis</i>.)</p> +<h3>I.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">Who</span> that has life and intelligence, +loves not, before all the surrounding miracles of space, +ever-joyous light with its tints, its beams, and its waves, its +mild omnipresence, when it comes as the waking day. Like +the inmost soul of life, it is inhaled by the giant universe of +gleaming stars, that dance as they swim in its blue flood; it is +inhaled by the glittering, eternally motionless stone, by the +living plant that drinks it in, by the wild and impetuous beast +in its many forms; but above all, by the glorious stranger, with +eyes of intellect, majestic step, with lips melodious, and gently +closed. As a king over earthly nature, it calls forth to +countless changes every power, binds and loosens bonds +unnumbered, and hangs around every earthly being its heavenly +picture. Alone its presence declares the wondrous glory of +the kingdoms the world.</p> +<p>I turn aside to the holy, the inexpressible, the mysterious +Night. Afar off lies the world, buried in some deep chasm: +desolate and lonely is the spot it filled. Through the +chords of the breast sighs deepest sorrow. I will sink down +into the dewdrops, and with ashes will I be commingled. The +distant lines of memory, desires of youth, the dreams of +childhood, a whole life’s short joys and hopes vain, +unfulfilled, come clothed in grey, like evening mists, when the +sun’s glory has departed. Elsewhere has the light +broken upon habitations of gladness. What, should it never +return again to its children, who with the faith of innocence +await its coming?</p> +<p>What fount is thus suddenly opened within the heart, so full +of forethought, that destroys the soft breath of sorrow? +Thou also—dost thou love us, gloomy Night? What +holdest thou concealed beneath thy mantle that draws my soul +towards thee with such mysterious power? Costly balsam +raineth from thy hand; from thy horn pourest thou out manna; the +heavy wings of the spirit liftest thou. Darkly and +inexpressibly do we feel ourselves moved: a solemn countenance I +behold with glad alarm, that bends towards me in gentle +contemplation, displaying, among endless allurements of the +mother, lovely youth! How poor and childish does the light +now seem! How joyous and how hallowed is the day’s +departure!—Therefore then only, because Night dismissed thy +vassals, hast thou sown in the infinity of space those shining +balls to declare thine almighty power, and thy return in the +season of absence? More heavenly than those glittering +stars seem the unnumbered eyes that Night has opened within +us. Farther can they see than beyond the palest of that +countless host; without need of light can they pierce the depths +of a spirit of love, that fills a yet more glorious space with +joy beyond expression. Glory to the world’s Queen, +the high declarer of spheres of holiness, the nurse of hallowed +love! Thee, thou tenderly beloved one, doth she send to +me—thee, lovely sun of the Night. Now I awaken, for I +am thine and mine: the Night hast thou given as a sign of life, +and made me man. Devour with glowing spiritual fire this +earthly body, that I ethereal may abide with thee in union yet +more perfect, and then may the bridal Night endure for ever.</p> +<h3>II.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">Must</span> ever the morn return? Is +there no end to the sovereignty of earth? Unhallowed +occupation breaks the heavenly pinion of the Night. Shall +the secret offering of love at no time burn for ever? To +the Light is its period allotted; but beyond time and space is +the empire of the Night. Eternal is the duration of +sleep. Thou holy sleep! bless not too rarely the +Night’s dedicated son in this earth’s daily +work! Fools alone recognise thee not, and know of no sleep +beyond the shadow which in that twilight of the actual Night thou +throwest in compassion over us. They feel thee not in the +vine’s golden flood, in the almond-tree’s marvel oil, +and in the brown juice of the manna; they know not that it is +thou that enhaloest the tender maiden’s breast, and makest +a heaven of her bosom; conceive not that out of histories of old +thou steppest forth an opener of heaven, and bearest the key to +the abodes of the blessed, the silent messenger of unending +mysteries.</p> +<h3>III.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">Once</span>, when I was shedding bitter +tears, when my hope streamed away dissolved in sorrow, and I +stood alone beside the barren hill, that concealed in narrow +gloomy space the form of my existence—alone, as never +solitary yet hath been, urged by an agony beyond expression, +powerless, no more than a mere thought of sorrow; as I looked +around me there for aid, could not advance, could not retire, and +hung with incessant longing upon fleeting, failing +life;—then came there from the blue distance, from the +heights of my former happiness, a thin veil of the twilight +gloom, and in a moment burst the bondage of the fetters of the +birth of light. Then fled the glories of the earth, and all +my sorrow with them; sadness melted away in a new, an +unfathomable world; thou, inspiration of the Night, slumber of +heaven, camest over me; the spot whereon I stood rose insensibly +on high; above the spot soared forth my released and new-born +spirit. The hill became a cloud of dust; through the cloud +I beheld the revealed features of my beloved one. In her +eyes eternity reposed; I grasped her hands, and my tears formed a +glittering, inseparable bond. Ages were swept by like +storms into the distance; on her neck I wept tears of ecstasy for +life renewed. It was my first, my only dream; and from that +time I feel an eternal and unchanging faith in the heaven of the +Night, and in its light, the Loved One.</p> +<h3>IV.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span> do I know when the last morn +will be; when the light shall no more give alarm to the night and +to love; when the slumber shall be without end, and there shall +be but one exhaustless dream. Heavenly weariness do I feel +within me. Long and wearisome had become the pilgrimage to +the holy grave—the cross a burthen. He who hath +tasted of the crystal wave that gushes forth, unknown to common +eye, in the dark bosom of that hill, against whose foot the flood +of earthly waves is dashed and broken; he who hath stood upon the +summit of the world’s mountain bounds, and hath looked +beyond them down into that new land, into the abode of Night; he, +well I ween, turns not back into the turmoil of the +world—into the land where the light, and eternal unrest, +dwells.</p> +<p>There, above, does he erect his huts—his huts of peace; +there longs and loves, until comes the most welcome of all hours +to draw him down into that fountain’s source. Upon +the surface floats all that is earthly—it is hurried back +by storms; but that which was hallowed by the breath of love, +freely streams it forth, through hidden paths, into that realm +beyond the mountain chain, and there, exhaled as incense, becomes +mixed with loves that have slept. Still, cheerful light, +dost thou waken the weary to his toil, still pourest thou glad +life into my breast; but from the mossy monument that memory has +raised, thence canst thou not allure me. Willingly will I +employ my hands in industry and toil; I will look around me at +thy bidding; I will celebrate the full glory of thy splendour; +trace out, untired, the beauteous consistency of thy wondrous +work; willingly will I mark the marvellous course of thy mighty, +glowing timepiece; observe the balance of gigantic powers, and +the laws of the wondrous play of countless spaces and their +periods. But true to the Night remains my heart of hearts, +and to creative Love, her daughter. Canst thou show me a +heart for ever faithful? Hath thy sun fond eyes that know +me? Do thy stars clasp my proffered hand? Do they +return the tender pressure, the caressing word? Hast thou +clothed her with fair hues and pleasing outline? Or was it +she who gave thine ornament a higher, dearer meaning? What +pleasure, what enjoyment, can thy life afford, that shall +overweigh the ecstasies of death? Bears not everything that +inspires us the colours of the Night? Thee she cherishes +with a mother’s care; to her thou owest all thy +majesty. Thou hadst melted in thyself, hadst been dissolved +in endless space, had she not restrained and encircled thee, so +that thou wert warm, and gavest life to the world. Verily I +was, before thou wert: the mother sent me with my sisters to +inhabit thy world, to hallow it with love, so that it might be +gazed on as a memorial for ever, to plant it with unfading +flowers. As yet they have borne no fruit, these godlike +thoughts; but few as yet are the traces of our revelation. +The day shall come when thy timepiece pointeth to the end of +time, when thou shalt be even as one of us; and, filled with +longing and ardent love, be blotted out and die. Within my +soul I feel the end of thy distracted power, heavenly freedom, +hailed return. In wild sorrow I recognise thy distance from +our home, thy hostility towards the ancient glorious +heaven. In vain are thy tumult and thy rage. +Indestructible remains the cross—a victorious banner of our +race.</p> +<p class="poetry">“I wander over,<br /> + And every tear<br /> +To gem our pleasure<br /> + Will then appear.<br /> +A few more hours,<br /> + And I find my rest<br /> +In maddening bliss,<br /> + On the loved one’s breast.<br /> +Life, never ending,<br /> + Swells mighty in me;<br /> +I look from above down—<br /> + Look back upon thee.<br /> +By yonder hillock<br /> + Expires thy beam;<br /> +And comes with a shadow,<br /> + The cooling gleam.<br /> +Oh, call me, thou loved one,<br /> + With strength from above;<br /> +That I may slumber,<br /> + And wake to love.<br /> +I welcome death’s<br /> + Reviving flood;<br /> +To balm and to ether<br /> + It changes my blood.<br /> +I live through each day,<br /> + Filled with faith and desire;<br /> +And die when the Night comes<br /> + In heaven-born fire.”</p> +<h3>V.</h3> +<p><span class="smcap">Over</span> the widely-spreading races of +mankind, ruled aforetime an iron Destiny with silent power. +A dark and heavy band was around man’s anxious soul; +without end was the earth; the home of the gods and their +abode. Throughout eternities had her mysterious structure +stood. Beyond the red mountains of the morning, in the holy +bosom of the sea, there dwelt the Sun, the all-inflaming, living +light. A hoary giant bare the sacred world. Securely +prisoned, beneath mountains, lay the first sons of the mother +Earth, powerless in their destructive fury against the new and +glorious race of the gods, and their kindred, joyous men. +The dark, green ocean’s depth was the bosom of a +goddess. In the crystal grottoes rioted a voluptuous +tribe. Rivers, trees, flowers, and brute beasts had human +understanding. Sweeter was the wine poured forth by +youth’s soft bloom; a god in the vine’s clusters; a +loving, a maternal goddess, shooting forth among the full, golden +sheaves; love’s holy flame, a delicious service to the most +beauteous of the goddesses. An ever gay and joyous festival +of heaven’s children and the dwellers upon earth, life +rustled on as a spring, through centuries. All races +venerated, like children, the tender, thousand-fold flame, as the +highest of the world; one thought only was there, one hideous +vision of a dream:—</p> +<p class="poetry">“That fearful to the joyous tables +came,<br /> + And the gay soul in wild distraction shrouded.<br /> +Here could the gods themselves no counsel frame,<br /> + That might console the breast with sorrow +clouded.<br /> +This monster’s path mysterious, still the same,<br /> + Unstilled his rage, though prayers on gifts were +crowded.<br /> +His name was Death, who with distress of soul,<br /> +Anguish and tears, on the hour of pleasure stole.</p> +<p class="poetry">For ever now from everything departed<br /> + That here can swell the heart with sweet delight,<br +/> +Torn now from the beloved one, who, sad-hearted,<br /> + On earth could but desire and grief excite,<br /> +A feeble dream seemed to the dead imparted,<br /> + Powerless striving made man’s only right;<br +/> +And broken was enjoyment’s heaving billow,<br /> +Upon the rock of endless care, its pillow.</p> +<p class="poetry">With daring mind, as heavenly fancy glows,<br +/> + Man masks the fearful shape with fair resembling:<br +/> +His torch put out, a mild youth doth repose;<br /> + Soft is the end as the lyre’s mournful +trembling.<br /> +Remembrance fades i’ the gloom a shadow throws:<br /> + So sang the song, a dreadful doom dissembling.<br /> +Yet undefined remained eternal Night,<br /> +The stern reminder of some distant might.”</p> +<p>At length the old world bowed its head. The gay gardens +of the young race were withered; beyond into the freer, desert +space aspired less childish and maturing man. The gods then +vanished with their train. Lonely and lifeless, Nature +stood. The scanty number and the rigid measure bound her +with fetters of iron. As into dust and air melted the +inconceivable blossoms of life into mysterious words. Fled +was the magic faith, and phantasy the all-changing, all-uniting +friend from heaven. Over the rigid earth, unfriendly, blew +a cold north wind, and the wonder-home, now without life, was +lost in ether; the recesses of the heavens were filled with +beaming worlds. Into a holier sphere, into the mind’s +far higher space, did the world draw the soul with its powers, +there to wander until the break of the world’s dawning +glory. No longer was the light the gods’ abode, their +token in the heavens: the veil of the night did they cast over +them. The night was the mighty bosom of revelations; in it +the gods returned, and slumbered there, to go forth in new and in +more glorious forms over the altered world.</p> +<p>Among the people above all despised, too soon matured, and +wilful strangers to the blessed innocence of youth; among them, +with features hitherto unseen, the new world came, in the +poet’s hut of poverty, a son of the first virgin mother, +endless fruit of a mysterious embrace. The boding, budding +wisdom of the East first recognised another Time’s +beginning; to the humble cradle of the monarch their star +declared the way. In the name of the distant future, with +splendour and with incense, did they make offering to him, the +highest wonder of the world. In solitude did the heavenly +heart unfold to a flowery chalice of almighty love, bent towards +the holy countenance of the father, and resting on the +happily-expectant bosom of the lovely pensive mother. With +divine ardour did the prophetic eye of the blooming child look +forth into the days of the future, towards his beloved, the +offspring of the race of God, careless for his day’s +earthly destiny. The most child-like spirits, wondrously +seized with a deep, heart-felt love, collected soon around him; +as flowers, a new and unknown life budded forth upon his +path. Words inexhaustible, the gladdest tidings fell, as +sparks from a heavenly spirit, from his friendly lips. From +a distant coast, born under Hellas’ cheerful sky, a +minstrel came to Palestine, and yielded his whole heart to the +wondrous child:—</p> +<p class="poetry">“The youth art thou, who for uncounted +time,<br /> + Upon our graves hast stood with hidden meaning;<br +/> +In hours of darkness a consoling sign,<br /> + Of higher manhood’s joyous, hailed +beginning;<br /> +That which hath made our soul so long to pine,<br /> + Now draws us hence, sweet aspirations winning.<br /> +In Death, eternal Life hath been revealed:<br /> +And thou art Death, by thee we first are healed.”</p> +<p>The minstrel wandered, full of joy, towards Hindostan, the +heart elated with the sweetest love, which, beneath yonder +heavens, he poured forth in fiery songs, so that a thousand +hearts inclined towards him, and with a thousand branches grew +towards heaven the joyous tidings. Soon after the +minstrel’s departure, the precious life became a sacrifice +to the deep guilt of man: he died in youthful years, torn from +the world he loved, from the weeping mother and lamenting +friends. His mouth of love emptied the dark cup of +inexpressible affliction. In fearful anguish approached the +hour of the new world’s birth. Deeply was he touched +with the old world’s fearful death—the weight of the +old world fell heavily upon him. Once more he gazed +placidly upon the mother, then came the loosening hand of eternal +love, and he slumbered. Few days only hung a deep veil over +the swelling sea, over the quaking land; the beloved ones wept +countless tears; the mystery was unsealed: the ancient stone +heavenly spirits raised from the dark grave. Angels sat +beside the slumberer, tenderly formed out of his dreams. +Awakened in the new glory of a god, he ascended the height of the +new-born world; and with his own hand buried within the deserted +sepulchre the old one’s corpse, and with almighty hand +placed over it the stone no power can raise.</p> +<p>Yet do thy dear ones weep rich tears of joy, tears of emotion, +and of eternal gratitude beside thy grave; even yet, with glad +alarm, do they behold thee rise, themselves with thee; behold +thee weeping, with sweet feeling, on the happy bosom of thy +mother, solemnly walking with thy friends, speaking words as if +broken from the tree of life; see thee hasten, full of longing, +to thy Father’s arms, bringing the young race of man, and +the cup of a golden future, which shall never be exhausted. +The mother soon followed thee in heavenly triumph; she was the +first to join thee in the new home. Long ages have flown by +since then, and ever in yet higher glory hath thy new creation +grown, and thousands from out of pain and misery have, full of +faith and longing, followed thee; roam with thee and the heavenly +virgin in the realm of love, serve in the temple of heavenly +Death, and are in eternity thine.</p> +<p class="poetry">“Lifted is the stone,<br /> + Manhood hath arisen:<br /> +Still are we thine own,<br /> + Unharmed by bond or prison.<br /> +When earth—life—fade away<br /> + In the last meal’s solemn gladness,<br /> +Around thy cup dare stray<br /> + No trace of grief or sadness.</p> +<p class="poetry">To the marriage, Death doth call,<br /> + The brilliant lamps are lighted;<br /> +The virgins come, invited,<br /> + And oil is with them all.<br /> +Space now to space is telling<br /> + How forth thy train hath gone,<br /> +The voice of stars is swelling<br /> + With human tongue and tone!</p> +<p class="poetry">To thee, Maria, hallowed,<br /> + A thousand hearts are sent;<br /> +In this dark life and shadowed,<br /> + On thee their thoughts are bent:<br /> +The soul’s releasement seeing<br /> + They, longing, seek its rest;<br /> +By thee pressed, holy being,<br /> + Upon thy faithful breast.</p> +<p class="poetry">How many who, once glowing,<br /> + Earth’s bitterness have learned,<br /> +Their souls with grief o’erflowing,<br /> + To thee have sadly turned;<br /> +Thou pitying hast appearéd,<br /> + In many an hour of pain;<br /> +We come to thee now, wearied,<br /> + There ever to remain.</p> +<p class="poetry">By no cold grave now weepeth<br /> + A faithful love, forlorn;<br /> +Each still love’s sweet rights keepeth,<br /> + From none will they be torn.<br /> +To soften his sad longing<br /> + Her fires doth Night impart;<br /> +From heaven cherubs thronging,<br /> + Hold watch upon his heart.</p> +<p class="poetry">Content, our life advancing<br /> + To a life that shall abide,<br /> +Each flame its worth enhancing,<br /> + The soul is glorified.<br /> +The starry host shall sink then<br /> + To bright and living wine,<br /> +The golden draught we drink then,<br /> + And stars ourselves shall shine.</p> +<p class="poetry">Love released, lives woundless,<br /> + No separation more;<br /> +While life swells free and boundless<br /> + As a sea without a shore.<br /> +One night of glad elation,<br /> + One joy that cannot die,<br /> +And the sun of all creation<br /> + Is the face of the Most High.”</p> +<h3>VI.<br /> +<span class="GutSmall">LONGING FOR DEATH.</span></h3> +<p class="poetry"><span class="smcap">Below</span>, within the +earth’s dark breast,<br /> + From realms of light departing,<br /> +There sorrow’s pang and sigh oppressed<br /> + Is signal of our starting.<br /> +In narrow boat we ferry o’er<br /> +Speedily to heaven’s shore.</p> +<p class="poetry">To us be hallowed endless Night,<br /> + Hallowed eternal slumber!<br /> +The day hath withered us with light,<br /> + And troubles beyond number.<br /> +No more ’mong strangers would we roam;<br /> +We seek our Father, and our home.</p> +<p class="poetry">Upon this world, what do we here,<br /> + As faithful, fond, and true men?<br /> +The Old but meets with scorn and sneer:—<br /> + What care we for the New, then?<br /> +Oh, lone is he, and sadly pines,<br /> +Who loves with zeal the olden times!</p> +<p class="poetry">Those old times when the spirits light<br /> + To heaven as flame ascended;<br /> +The Father’s hand and features bright<br /> + When men yet comprehended;<br /> +When many a mortal, lofty-souled,<br /> +Yet bore the mark of heavenly mould.</p> +<p class="poetry">Those olden times when budded still<br /> + The stems of ancient story,<br /> +And children, to do Heaven’s will,<br /> + In pain and death sought glory;<br /> +Those times when life and pleasure spoke,<br /> +Yet many a heart with fond love broke.</p> +<p class="poetry">Those old times when in fires of youth<br /> + Was God himself revealéd,<br /> +And early death, in love and truth,<br /> + His sweet existence sealéd,<br /> +Who put not from him care and pain,<br /> +That dear to us he might remain.</p> +<p class="poetry">With trembling longing these we see,<br /> + By darkness now belated,<br /> +In Time’s dominions ne’er will be<br /> + Our ardent thirsting sated.<br /> +First to our home ’tis need we go,<br /> +Seek we these holy times to know.</p> +<p class="poetry">And our return what still can stay?<br /> + Long have the best-loved slumbered;<br /> +Their grave bounds for us life’s drear way,<br /> + Our souls with grief are cumbered.<br /> +All that we have to seek is gone,<br /> +The heart is full—the world is lone.</p> +<p class="poetry">Unending, with mysterious flame,<br /> + O’er us sweet awe is creeping;<br /> +Methought from viewless distance came<br /> + An echo to our weeping;<br /> +The loved ones long for us on high,<br /> +And sent us back their pining sigh.</p> +<p class="poetry">Below, to seek the tender bride,<br /> + To Jesus, whom we cherish!<br /> +Good cheer! lo, greys the even-tide,—<br /> + Love’s agonies shall perish.—<br /> +A dream—our fetters melt, at rest<br /> +We sink upon the Father’s breast.</p> + +<div class="gapmediumline"> </div> +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">Printed by +Cassell & Company, Limited, La Bell Sauvage, London, +E.C.</span><br /> +<span class="GutSmall">30,590</span></p> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PETER SCHLEMIHL ETC.***</p> +<pre> + + +***** This file should be named 5339-h.htm or 5339-h.zip****** + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/3/3/5339 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Peter Schlemihl etc. + +Author: Chamisso et. al. + +Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5339] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on July 2, 2002] +[Most recently updated: July 2, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, PETER SCHLEMIHL ETC. *** + + + + +Transcribed from he 1889 Cassell & Company edition by David Price, +email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk + + + + +PETER SCHLEMIHL ETC. + + + + +Contents: + Introduction by Henry Morley + Peter Schlemihl by Adelbert Chamisso + Peter Schlemihl + Appendix + Preface by the Editor + Brief Sketch of Chamisso's Life + From the Baron de la Motte Fouque + The Story Without An End by Carode translated by Sarah Austin + Hymns To Night by Novalis translated by Henry Morley + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + + +"Peter Schlemihl," one of the pleasantest fancies of the days when +Germany delighted in romance, was first published in 1814, and was +especially naturalised in England by association with the genius of +George Cruikshank, who enriched a translation of it with some of his +happiest work as an illustrator. An account of the book and its +author is here reprinted at the end of the tale, as originally given +by the translator. To this account one or two notes may be added. +Louis Charles Adelaide de Chamisso de Boncourt was born on the 27th +of January, 1781, at the Chateau of Boncourt, in Champagne, which he +made the subject of one of his most beautiful lyrics. He belonged +to a family faithful to Louis XVI., that fled to Wurzburg from the +fury of the French Revolution. Thus he was taken to Germany a child +of nine, and was left there when the family, with other emigrants, +returned to France in 1801. At fifteen he had Teutonised his name +to Adelbert von Chamisso, and was appointed page to the Queen of +Prussia. In the war that came afterwards, for a very short time he +bore arms against the French, but being one of a garrison taken in +the captured fort of Hamlin, he and his comrades had to pledge their +honour that they would not again bear arms against France during +that war. After the war he visited France. His parents then were +dead, and though he stayed in France some years, he wrote from +France to a friend, "I am German heart and soul, and cannot feel at +home here." He wandered irresolutely, then became Professor of +Literature in a gymnasium in La Vendee. Still he was restless. In +1812 he set off for a walk in Switzerland, returned to Germany, and +took to the study of anatomy. In 1813, Napoleon's expedition to +Russia and the peril to France from legions marching upon Paris +caused to Chamisso suffering and confusion of mind. + +It is often said that his sense of isolation between interests of +the land of his forefathers and the land of his adoption makes +itself felt through all the wild playfulness of "Peter Schlemihl," +which was at this time written, when Chamisso's age was about +thirty-two. A letter of his to the Councillor Trinius, in +Petersburg, tells how he came to write it. He had lost on a +pedestrian tour his hat, his knapsack, his gloves, and his pocket +handkerchief--the chief movables about him. His friend Fouque asked +him whether he hadn't also lost his shadow? The friends pleased +their fancies in imagining what would have happened to him if he +had. Not long afterwards he was reading in La Fontaine of a polite +man who drew out of his pocket whatever was asked for. Chamisso +thought, He will be bringing out next a coach and horses. Out of +these hints came the fancy of "Peter Schlemihl, the Shadowless Man." +In all thought that goes with invention of a poet, there are depths +as well as shallows, and the reader may get now and then a peep into +the depths. He may find, if he will, in a man's shadow that outward +expression of himself which shows that he has been touched, like +others, by the light of heaven. But essentially the story is a +poet's whim. Later writings of Chamisso proved him to be one of the +best lyric poets of the romance school of his time, entirely German +in his tone of thought. His best poem, "Salas y Gomez," describes +the feeling of a solitary on a sea-girt rock, living on eggs of the +numberless sea-birds until old age, when a ship is in sight, and +passes him, and his last agony of despair is followed by a triumph +in the strength of God. + + +"Alone and world-forsaken let me die; + Thy Grace is all my wealth, for all my loss: +On my bleached bones out of the southern sky + Thy Love will look down from the starry cross." + + +The "Story Without an End"--a story of the endless beauty of +Creation--is from a writer who has no name on the rolls of fame. +The little piece has been made famous among us by the good will of +Sarah Austin. The child who enjoyed it, and for whom she made the +delicate translation which here follows next after Chamisso's "Peter +Schlemihl," was that only daughter who became Lady Duff-Gordon, and +with whom we have made acquaintance in this Library as the +translator of "The Amber Witch." + +To make up the tale of pages in this little book without breaking +its uniformity, I have added a translation of the "Hymns to Night" +of Novalis. It is a translation made by myself seven-and-forty +years ago, and printed in a student's magazine that I then edited. +"Novalis" was the name assumed by a poet, Friedrich von Hardenberg, +who died on the 25th March, 1801, aged twenty-nine. He was bred +among the Moravian brethren, and then sent to the University of +Jena. Two years after his marriage to a young wife, Sophie von +Kuhn, she died. That was in 1797. At the same time he lost a +brother who was very dear to him. It was then--four years before +his own death--that he wrote his "Hymns to Night." + +H. M. + + + + +PETER SCHLEMIHL, THE SHADOWLESS MAN. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE FROM +A. VON CHAMISSO TO JULIUS EDWARD HITZIG. + + + +You, who forget nobody, must surely remember one Peter Schlemihl, +whom you used to meet occasionally at my house--a long-legged youth, +who was considered stupid and lazy, on account of his awkward and +careless air. I was sincerely attached to him. You cannot have +forgotten him, Edward. He was on one occasion the hero of our +rhymes, in the hey-day of our youthful spirits; and I recollect +taking him one evening to a poetical tea-party, where he fell asleep +while I was writing, without even waiting to hear my effusion: and +this reminds me of a witticism of yours respecting him. You had +already seen him, I know not where or when, in an old black frock- +coat, which, indeed, he constantly wore; and you said, "He would be +a lucky fellow if his soul were half as immortal as his coat," so +little opinion had you of him. _I_ loved him, however: and to this +very Schlemihl, of whom for many years I had wholly lost sight, I am +indebted for the little volume which I communicate to you, Edward, +my most intimate friend, my second self, from whom I have no +secrets;--to you, and of course our Fouque, I commit them, who like +you is intimately entwined about my dearest affections,--to him I +communicate them only as a friend, but not as a poet; for you can +easily imagine how unpleasant it would be if a secret confided to me +by an honest man, relying implicitly on my friendship and honour, +were to be exposed to the public in a poem. + +One word more as to the manner in which I obtained these sheets: +yesterday morning early, as soon as I was up, they were brought to +me. An extraordinary-looking man, with a long grey beard, and +wearing an old black frock-coat with a botanical case hanging at his +side, and slippers over his boots, in the damp, rainy weather, had +just been inquiring for me, and left me these papers, saying he came +from Berlin. + +ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO. + + + +CHAPTER I. + + + +After a prosperous, but to me very wearisome, voyage, we came at +last into port. Immediately on landing I got together my few +effects; and, squeezing myself through the crowd, went into the +nearest and humblest inn which first met my gaze. On asking for a +room the waiter looked at me from head to foot, and conducted me to +one. I asked for some cold water, and for the correct address of +Mr. Thomas John, which was described as being "by the north gate, +the first country-house to the right, a large new house of red and +white marble, with many pillars." This was enough. As the day was +not yet far advanced, I untied my bundle, took out my newly-turned +black coat, dressed myself in my best clothes, and, with my letter +of recommendation, set out for the man who was to assist me in the +attainment of my moderate wishes. + +After proceeding up the north street, I reached the gate, and saw +the marble columns glittering through the trees. Having wiped the +dust from my shoes with my pocket-handkerchief and readjusted my +cravat, I rang the bell--offering up at the same time a silent +prayer. The door flew open, and the porter sent in my name. I had +soon the honour to be invited into the park, where Mr. John was +walking with a few friends. I recognised him at once by his +corpulency and self-complacent air. He received me very well--just +as a rich man receives a poor devil; and turning to me, took my +letter. "Oh, from my brother! it is a long time since I heard from +him: is he well?--Yonder," he went on,--turning to the company, and +pointing to a distant hill--"Yonder is the site of the new +building." He broke the seal without discontinuing the +conversation, which turned upon riches. "The man," he said, "who +does not possess at least a million is a poor wretch." "Oh, how +true!" I exclaimed, in the fulness of my heart. He seemed pleased +at this, and replied with a smile, "Stop here, my dear friend; +afterwards I shall, perhaps, have time to tell you what I think of +this," pointing to the letter, which he then put into his pocket, +and turned round to the company, offering his arm to a young lady: +his example was followed by the other gentlemen, each politely +escorting a lady; and the whole party proceeded towards a little +hill thickly planted with blooming roses. + +I followed without troubling any one, for none took the least +further notice of me. The party was in high spirits--lounging about +and jesting--speaking sometimes of trifling matters very seriously, +and of serious matters as triflingly--and exercising their wit in +particular to great advantage on their absent friends and their +affairs. I was too ignorant of what they were talking about to +understand much of it, and too anxious and absorbed in my own +reflections to occupy myself with the solution of such enigmas as +their conversation presented. + +By this time we had reached the thicket of roses. The lovely Fanny, +who seemed to be the queen of the day, was obstinately bent on +plucking a rose-branch for herself, and in the attempt pricked her +finger with a thorn. The crimson stream, as if flowing from the +dark-tinted rose, tinged her fair hand with the purple current. +This circumstance set the whole company in commotion; and court- +plaster was called for. A quiet, elderly man, tall, and meagre- +looking, who was one of the company, but whom I had not before +observed, immediately put his hand into the tight breast-pocket of +his old-fashioned coat of grey sarsnet, pulled out a small letter- +case, opened it, and, with a most respectful bow, presented the lady +with the wished-for article. She received it without noticing the +giver, or thanking him. The wound was bound up, and the party +proceeded along the hill towards the back part, from which they +enjoyed an extensive view across the green labyrinth of the park to +the wide-spreading ocean. The view was truly a magnificent one. A +slight speck was observed on the horizon, between the dark flood and +the azure sky. "A telescope!" called out Mr. John; but before any +of the servants could answer the summons the grey man, with a modest +bow, drew his hand from his pocket, and presented a beautiful +Dollond's telescope to Mr. John, who, on looking through it, +informed the company that the speck in the distance was the ship +which had sailed yesterday, and which was detained within sight of +the haven by contrary winds. The telescope passed from hand to +hand, but was not returned to the owner, whom I gazed at with +astonishment, and could not conceive how so large an instrument +could have proceeded from so small a pocket. This, however, seemed +to excite surprise in no one; and the grey man appeared to create as +little interest as myself. + +Refreshments were now brought forward, consisting of the rarest +fruits from all parts of the world, served up in the most costly +dishes. Mr. John did the honours with unaffected grace, and +addressed me for the second time, saying, "You had better eat; you +did not get such things at sea." I acknowledged his politeness with +a bow, which, however, he did not perceive, having turned round to +speak with some one else. + +The party would willingly have stopped some time here on the +declivity of the hill, to enjoy the extensive prospect before them, +had they not been apprehensive of the dampness of the grass. "How +delightful it would be," exclaimed some one, "if we had a Turkey +carpet to lay down here!" The wish was scarcely expressed when the +man in the grey coat put his hand in his pocket, and, with a modest +and even humble air, pulled out a rich Turkey carpet, embroidered in +gold. The servant received it as a matter of course, and spread it +out on the desired spot; and, without any ceremony, the company +seated themselves on it. Confounded by what I saw, I gazed again at +the man, his pocket, and the carpet, which was more than twenty feet +in length and ten in breadth; and rubbed my eyes, not knowing what +to think, particularly as no one saw anything extraordinary in the +matter. + +I would gladly have made some inquiries respecting the man, and +asked who he was, but knew not to whom I should address myself, for +I felt almost more afraid of the servants than of their master. At +length I took courage, and stepping up to a young man who seemed of +less consequence than the others, and who was more frequently +standing by himself, I begged of him, in a low tone, to tell me who +the obliging gentleman was in the grey cloak. "That man who looks +like a piece of thread just escaped from a tailor's needle?" "Yes; +he who is standing alone yonder." "I do not know," was the reply; +and to avoid, as it seemed, any further conversation with me, he +turned away, and spoke of some common-place matters with a +neighbour. + +The sun's rays now being stronger, the ladies complained of feeling +oppressed by the heat; and the lovely Fanny, turning carelessly to +the grey man, to whom I had not yet observed that any one had +addressed the most trifling question, asked him if, perhaps, he had +not a tent about him. He replied, with a low bow, as if some +unmerited honour had been conferred upon him; and, putting his hand +in his pocket, drew from it canvas, poles, cord, iron--in short, +everything belonging to the most splendid tent for a party of +pleasure. The young gentlemen assisted in pitching it: and it +covered the whole carpet: but no one seemed to think that there was +anything extraordinary in it. + +I had long secretly felt uneasy--indeed, almost horrified; but how +was this feeling increased when, at the next wish expressed, I saw +him take from his pocket three horses! Yes, Adelbert, three large +beautiful steeds, with saddles and bridles, out of the very pocket +whence had already issued a letter-case, a telescope, a carpet +twenty feet broad and ten in length, and a pavilion of the same +extent, with all its appurtenances! Did I not assure thee that my +own eyes had seen all this, thou wouldst certainly disbelieve it. + +This man, although he appeared so humble and embarrassed in his air +and manners, and passed so unheeded, had inspired me with such a +feeling of horror by the unearthly paleness of his countenance, from +which I could not avert my eyes, that I was unable longer to endure +it. + +I determined, therefore, to steal away from the company, which +appeared no difficult matter, from the undistinguished part I acted +in it. I resolved to return to the town, and pay another visit to +Mr. John the following morning, and, at the same time, make some +inquiries of him relative to the extraordinary man in grey, provided +I could command sufficient courage. Would to Heaven that such good +fortune had awaited me! + +I had stolen safely down the hill, through the thicket of roses, and +now found myself on an open plain; but fearing lest I should be met +out of the proper path, crossing the grass, I cast an inquisitive +glance around, and started as I beheld the man in the grey cloak +advancing towards me. He took off his hat, and made me a lower bow +than mortal had ever yet favoured me with. It was evident that he +wished to address me; and I could not avoid encountering him without +seeming rude. I returned his salutation, therefore, and stood +bareheaded in the sunshine as if rooted to the ground. I gazed at +him with the utmost horror, and felt like a bird fascinated by a +serpent. + +He affected himself to have an air of embarrassment. With his eyes +on the ground, he bowed several times, drew nearer, and at last, +without looking up, addressed me in a low and hesitating voice, +almost in the tone of a suppliant: "Will you, sir, excuse my +importunity in venturing to intrude upon you in so unusual a manner? +I have a request to make--would you most graciously be pleased to +allow me--!" "Hold! for Heaven's sake!" I exclaimed; "what can I do +for a man who"--I stopped in some confusion, which he seemed to +share. After a moment's pause, he resumed: "During the short time +I have had the pleasure to be in your company, I have--permit me, +sir, to say--beheld with unspeakable admiration your most beautiful +shadow, and remarked the air of noble indifference with which you, +at the same time, turn from the glorious picture at your feet, as if +disdaining to vouchsafe a glance at it. Excuse the boldness of my +proposal; but perhaps you would have no objection to sell me your +shadow?" He stopped, while my head turned round like a mill-wheel. +What was I to think of so extraordinary a proposal? To sell my +shadow! "He must be mad," thought I; and assuming a tone more in +character with the submissiveness of his own, I replied, "My good +friend, are you not content with your own shadow? This would be a +bargain of a strange nature indeed!" + +"I have in my pocket," he said, "many things which may possess some +value in your eyes: for that inestimable shadow I should deem the +highest price too little." + +A cold shuddering came over me as I recollected the pocket; and I +could not conceive what had induced me to style him "GOOD FRIEND," +which I took care not to repeat, endeavouring to make up for it by a +studied politeness. + +I now resumed the conversation: --"But, Sir--excuse your humble +servant--I am at a loss to comprehend your meaning,--my shadow?--how +can I?" + +"Permit me," he exclaimed, interrupting me, "to gather up the noble +image as it lies on the ground, and to take it into my possession. +As to the manner of accomplishing it, leave that to me. In return, +and as an evidence of my gratitude, I shall leave you to choose +among all the treasures I have in my pocket, among which are a +variety of enchanting articles, not exactly adapted for you, who, I +am sure, would like better to have the wishing-cap of Fortunatus, +all made new and sound again, and a lucky purse which also belonged +to him." + +"Fortunatus's purse!" cried I; and, great as was my mental anguish, +with that one word he had penetrated the deepest recesses of my +soul. A feeling of giddiness came over me, and double ducats +glittered before my eyes. + +"Be pleased, gracious sir, to examine this purse, and make a trial +of its contents." He put his hand in his pocket, and drew forth a +large strongly stitched bag of stout Cordovan leather, with a couple +of strings to match, and presented it to me. I seized it--took out +ten gold pieces, then ten more, and this I repeated again and again. +Instantly I held out my hand to him. "Done," said I; "the bargain +is made: my shadow for the purse." "Agreed," he answered; and, +immediately kneeling down, I beheld him, with extraordinary +dexterity, gently loosen my shadow from the grass, lift it up, fold +it together, and, at last put it in his pocket. He then rose, bowed +once more to me, and directed his steps towards the rose bushes. I +fancied I heard him quietly laughing to himself. However, I held +the purse fast by the two strings. The earth was basking beneath +the brightness of the sun; but I presently lost all consciousness. + +On recovering my senses, I hastened to quit a place where I hoped +there was nothing further to detain me. I first filled my pockets +with gold, then fastened the strings of the purse round my neck, and +concealed it in my bosom. I passed unnoticed out of the park, +gained the high road, and took the way to the town. As I was +thoughtfully approaching the gate, I heard some one behind me +exclaiming, "Young man! young man! you have lost your shadow!" I +turned, and perceived an old woman calling after me. "Thank you, my +good woman," said I; and throwing her a piece of gold for her well- +intended information, I stepped under the trees. At the gate, +again, it was my fate to hear the sentry inquiring where the +gentleman had left his shadow; and immediately I heard a couple of +women exclaiming, "Jesu Maria! the poor man has no shadow." All +this began to depress me, and I carefully avoided walking in the +sun; but this could not everywhere be the case: for in the next +broad street I had to cross, and, unfortunately for me, at the very +hour in which the boys were coming out of school, a humpbacked lout +of a fellow--I see him yet--soon made the discovery that I was +without a shadow, and communicated the news, with loud outcries, to +a knot of young urchins. The whole swarm proceeded immediately to +reconnoitre me, and to pelt me with mud. "People," cried they, "are +generally accustomed to take their shadows with them when they walk +in the sunshine." + +In order to drive them away I threw gold by handfuls among them, and +sprang into a hackney-coach which some compassionate spectators sent +to my rescue. + +As soon as I found myself alone in the rolling vehicle I began to +weep bitterly. I had by this time a misgiving that, in the same +degree in which gold in this world prevails over merit and virtue, +by so much one's shadow excels gold; and now that I had sacrificed +my conscience for riches, and given my shadow in exchange for mere +gold, what on earth would become of me? + +As the coach stopped at the door of my late inn, I felt much +perplexed, and not at all disposed to enter so wretched an abode. I +called for my things, and received them with an air of contempt, +threw down a few gold pieces, and desired to be conducted to a +first-rate hotel. This house had a northern aspect, so that I had +nothing to fear from the sun. I dismissed the coachman with gold; +asked to be conducted to the best apartment, and locked myself up in +it as soon as possible. + +Imagine, my friend, what I then set about? O my dear Chamisso! even +to thee I blush to mention what follows. + +I drew the ill-fated purse from my bosom; and, in a sort of frenzy +that raged like a self-fed fire within me, I took out gold--gold-- +gold--more and more, till I strewed it on the floor, trampled upon +it, and feasting on its very sound and brilliancy, added coins to +coins, rolling and revelling on the gorgeous bed, until I sank +exhausted. + +Thus passed away that day and evening; and as my door remained +locked, night found me still lying on the gold, where, at last, +sleep overpowered me. + +Then I dreamed of thee, and fancied I stood behind the glass door of +thy little room, and saw thee seated at thy table between a skeleton +and a bunch of dried plants; before thee lay open the works of +Haller, Humboldt, and Linnaeus; on thy sofa a volume of Goethe, and +the Enchanted Ring. I stood a long time contemplating thee, and +everything in thy apartment; and again turning my gaze upon thee, I +perceived that thou wast motionless--thou didst not breathe--thou +wast dead. + +I awoke--it seemed yet early--my watch had stopped. I felt thirsty, +faint, and worn out; for since the preceding morning I had not +tasted food. I now cast from me, with loathing and disgust, the +very gold with which but a short time before I had satiated my +foolish heart. Now I knew not where to put it--I dared not leave it +lying there. I examined my purse to see if it would hold it,-- +impossible! Neither of my windows opened on the sea. I had no +other resource but, with toil and great fatigue, to drag it to a +huge chest which stood in a closet in my room; where I placed it +all, with the exception of a handful or two. Then I threw myself, +exhausted, into an arm-chair, till the people of the house should be +up and stirring. As soon as possible I sent for some refreshment, +and desired to see the landlord. + +I entered into some conversation with this man respecting the +arrangement of my future establishment. He recommended for my +personal attendant one Bendel, whose honest and intelligent +countenance immediately prepossessed me in his favour. It is this +individual whose persevering attachment has consoled me in all the +miseries of my life, and enabled me to bear up under my wretched +lot. I was occupied the whole day in my room with servants in want +of a situation, and tradesmen of every description. I decided on my +future plans, and purchased various articles of vertu and splendid +jewels, in order to get rid of some of my gold; but nothing seemed +to diminish the inexhaustible heap. + +I now reflected on my situation with the utmost uneasiness. I dared +not take a single step beyond my own door; and in the evening I had +forty wax tapers lighted before I ventured to leave the shade. I +reflected with horror on the frightful encounter with the school- +boys; yet I resolved, if I could command sufficient courage, to put +the public opinion to a second trial. The nights were now +moonlight. Late in the evening I wrapped myself in a large cloak, +pulled my hat over my eyes, and, trembling like a criminal, stole +out of the house. + +I did not venture to leave the friendly shadow of the houses until I +had reached a distant part of the town; and then I emerged into the +broad moonlight, fully prepared to hear my fate from the lips of the +passers-by. + +Spare me, my beloved friend, the painful recital of all that I was +doomed to endure. The women often expressed the deepest sympathy +for me--a sympathy not less piercing to my soul than the scoffs of +the young people, and the proud contempt of the men, particularly of +the more corpulent, who threw an ample shadow before them. A fair +and beauteous maiden, apparently accompanied by her parents, who +gravely kept looking straight before them, chanced to cast a beaming +glance on me; but was evidently startled at perceiving that I was +without a shadow, and hiding her lovely face in her veil, and +holding down her head, passed silently on. + +This was past all endurance. Tears streamed from my eyes; and with +a heart pierced through and through, I once more took refuge in the +shade. I leant on the houses for support, and reached home at a +late hour, worn out with fatigue. + +I passed a sleepless night. My first care the following morning +was, to devise some means of discovering the man in the grey cloak. +Perhaps I may succeed in finding him; and how fortunate it were if +he should be as ill satisfied with his bargain as I am with mine! + +I desired Bendel to be sent for, who seemed to possess some tact and +ability. I minutely described to him the individual who possessed a +treasure without which life itself was rendered a burden to me. I +mentioned the time and place at which I had seen him, named all the +persons who were present, and concluded with the following +directions: --He was to inquire for a Dollond's telescope, a Turkey +carpet interwoven with gold, a marquee, and, finally, for some black +steeds--the history, without entering into particulars, of all these +being singularly connected with the mysterious character who seemed +to pass unnoticed by every one, but whose appearance had destroyed +the peace and happiness of my life. + +As I spoke I produced as much gold as I could hold in my two hands, +and added jewels and precious stones of still greater value. +"Bendel," said I, "this smooths many a path, and renders that easy +which seems almost impossible. Be not sparing of it, for I am not +so; but go, and rejoice thy master with intelligence on which depend +all his hopes." + +He departed, and returned late and melancholy. + +None of Mr. John's servants, none of his guests (and Bendel had +spoken to them all) had the slightest recollection of the man in the +grey cloak. + +The new telescope was still there, but no one knew how it had come; +and the tent and Turkey carpet were still stretched out on the hill. +The servants boasted of their master's wealth; but no one seemed to +know by what means he had become possessed of these newly acquired +luxuries. He was gratified; and it gave him no concern to be +ignorant how they had come to him. The black coursers which had +been mounted on that day were in the stables of the young gentlemen +of the party, who admired them as the munificent present of Mr. +John. + +Such was the information I gained from Bendel's detailed account; +but, in spite of this unsatisfactory result, his zeal and prudence +deserved and received my commendation. In a gloomy mood, I made him +a sign to withdraw. + +"I have, sir," he continued, "laid before you all the information in +my power relative to the subject of the most importance to you. I +have now a message to deliver which I received early this morning +from a person at the gate, as I was proceeding to execute the +commission in which I have so unfortunately failed. The man's words +were precisely these: 'Tell your master, Peter Schlemihl, he will +not see me here again. I am going to cross the sea; a favourable +wind now calls all the passengers on board; but, in a year and a day +I shall have the honour of paying him a visit; when, in all +probability, I shall have a proposal to make to him of a very +agreeable nature. Commend me to him most respectfully, with many +thanks.' I inquired his name; but he said you would remember him." + +"What sort of person was he?" cried I, in great emotion; and Bendel +described the man in the grey coat feature by feature, word for +word; in short, the very individual in search of whom he had been +sent. "How unfortunate!" cried I bitterly; "it was himself." +Scales, as it were, fell from Bendel's eyes. "Yes, it was he," +cried he, "undoubtedly it was he; and fool, madman, that I was, I +did not recognise him--I did not, and have betrayed my master!" He +then broke out into a torrent of self-reproach; and his distress +really excited my compassion. I endeavoured to console him, +repeatedly assuring him that I entertained no doubt of his fidelity; +and despatched him immediately to the wharf, to discover, if +possible, some trace of the extraordinary being. But on that very +morning many vessels which had been detained in port by contrary +winds had set sail, all bound to different parts of the globe; and +the grey man had disappeared like a shadow. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + + +Of what use were wings to a man fast bound in chains of iron? They +would but increase the horror of his despair. Like the dragon +guarding his treasure, I remained cut off from all human +intercourse, and starving amidst my very gold, for it gave me no +pleasure: I anathematised it as the source of all my wretchedness. + +Sole depository of my fearful secret, I trembled before the meanest +of my attendants, whom, at the same time, I envied; for he possessed +a shadow, and could venture to go out in the daytime; while I shut +myself up in my room day and night, and indulged in all the +bitterness of grief. + +One individual, however, was daily pining away before my eyes--my +faithful Bendel, who was the victim of silent self-reproach, +tormenting himself with the idea that he had betrayed the confidence +reposed in him by a good master, in failing to recognise the +individual in quest of whom he had been sent, and with whom he had +been led to believe that my melancholy fate was closely connected. +Still, I had nothing to accuse him with, as I recognised in the +occurrence the mysterious character of the unknown. + +In order to leave no means untried, I one day despatched Bendel with +a costly ring to the most celebrated artist in the town, desiring +him to wait upon me. He came; and, dismissing the attendants, I +secured the door, placing myself opposite to him, and, after +extolling his art, with a heavy heart came to the point, first +enjoining the strictest secrecy. + +"For a person," said I, "who most unfortunately has lost his shadow, +could you paint a false one?" + +"Do you speak of the natural shadow?" + +"Precisely so." + +"But," he asked, "by what awkward negligence can a man have lost his +shadow?" + +"How it occurred," I answered, "is of no consequence; but it was in +this manner"--(and here I uttered an unblushing falsehood)--"he was +travelling in Russia last winter, and one bitterly cold day it froze +so intensely, that his shadow remained so fixed to the ground, that +it was found impossible to remove it." + +"The false shadow that I might paint," said the artist, "would be +liable to be lost on the slightest movement, particularly in a +person who, from your account, cares so little about his shadow. A +person without a shadow should keep out of the sun, that is the only +safe and rational plan." + +He rose and took his leave, casting so penetrating a look at me that +I shrunk from it. I sank back in my chair, and hid my face in my +hands. + +In this attitude Bendel found me, and was about to withdraw silently +and respectfully on seeing me in such a state of grief: looking up, +overwhelmed with my sorrows, I felt that I must communicate them to +him. "Bendel," I exclaimed, "Bendel, thou the only being who seest +and respectest my grief too much to inquire into its cause--thou who +seemest silently and sincerely to sympathise with me--come and share +my confidence. The extent of my wealth I have not withheld from +thee, neither will I conceal from thee the extent of my grief. +Bendel! forsake me not. Bendel, you see me rich, free, beneficent; +you fancy all the world in my power; yet you must have observed that +I shun it, and avoid all human intercourse. You think, Bendel, that +the world and I are at variance; and you yourself, perhaps, will +abandon me, when I acquaint you with this fearful secret. Bendel, I +am rich, free, generous; but, O God, I have NO SHADOW!" + +"No shadow!" exclaimed the faithful young man, tears starting from +his eyes. "Alas! that I am born to serve a master without a +shadow!" He was silent, and again I hid my face in my hands. + +"Bendel," at last I tremblingly resumed, "you have now my +confidence; you may betray me--go--bear witness against me!" + +He seemed to be agitated with conflicting feelings; at last he threw +himself at my feet and seized my hand, which he bathed with his +tears. "No," he exclaimed; "whatever the world may say, I neither +can nor will forsake my excellent master because he has lost his +shadow. I will rather do what is right than what may seem prudent. +I will remain with you--I will shade you with my own shadow--I will +assist you when I can--and when I cannot, I will weep with you." + +I fell upon his neck, astonished at sentiments so unusual; for it +was very evident that he was not prompted by the love of money. + +My mode of life and my fate now became somewhat different. It is +incredible with what provident foresight Bendel contrived to conceal +my deficiency. Everywhere he was before me and with me, providing +against every contingency, and in cases of unlooked-for danger, +flying to shield me with his own shadow, for he was taller and +stouter than myself. Thus I once more ventured among mankind, and +began to take a part in worldly affairs. I was compelled, indeed, +to affect certain peculiarities and whims; but in a rich man they +seem only appropriate; and so long as the truth was kept concealed I +enjoyed all the honour and respect which gold could procure. + +I now looked forward with more composure to the promised visit of +the mysterious unknown at the expiration of the year and a day. + +I was very sensible that I could not venture to remain long in a +place where I had once been seen without a shadow, and where I might +easily be betrayed; and perhaps, too, I recollected my first +introduction to Mr. John, and this was by no means a pleasing +reminiscence. However, I wished just to make a trial here, that I +might with greater ease and security visit some other place. But my +vanity for some time withheld me, for it is in this quality of our +race that the anchor takes the firmest hold. + +Even the lovely Fanny, whom I again met in several places, without +her seeming to recollect that she had ever seen me before, bestowed +some notice on me; for wit and understanding were mine in abundance +now. When I spoke, I was listened to; and I was at a loss to know +how I had so easily acquired the art of commanding attention, and +giving the tone to the conversation. + +The impression which I perceived I had made upon this fair one +completely turned my brain; and this was just what she wished. +After that, I pursued her with infinite pains through every +obstacle. My vanity was only intent on exciting hers to make a +conquest of me; but although the intoxication disturbed my head, it +failed to make the least impression on my heart. + +But why detail to you the oft-repeated story which I have so often +heard from yourself? + +However, in the old and well-known drama in which I played so worn- +out a part a catastrophe occurred of quite a peculiar nature, in a +manner equally unexpected to her, to me, and to everybody. + +One beautiful evening I had, according to my usual custom, assembled +a party in a garden, and was walking arm-in-arm with Fanny at a +little distance from the rest of the company, and pouring into her +ear the usual well-turned phrases, while she was demurely gazing on +vacancy, and now and then gently returning the pressure of my hand. +The moon suddenly emerged from behind a cloud at our back. Fanny +perceived only her own shadow before us. She started, looked at me +with terror, and then again on the ground, in search of my shadow. +All that was passing in her mind was so strangely depicted in her +countenance, that I should have burst into a loud fit of laughter +had I not suddenly felt my blood run cold within me. I suffered her +to fall from my arm in a fainting-fit; shot with the rapidity of an +arrow through the astonished guests, reached the gate, threw myself +into the first conveyance I met with, and returned to the town, +where this time, unfortunately, I had left the wary Bendel. He was +alarmed on seeing me: one word explained all. Post-horses were +immediately procured. I took with me none of my servants, one +cunning knave only excepted, called Rascal, who had by his +adroitness become very serviceable to me, and who at present knew +nothing of what had occurred--I travelled thirty leagues that night; +having left Bendel behind to discharge my servants, pay my debts, +and bring me all that was necessary. + +When he came up with me next day, I threw myself into his arms, +vowing to avoid such follies and to be more careful for the future. + +We pursued our journey uninterruptedly over the frontiers and +mountains; and it was not until I had placed this lofty barrier +between myself and the before-mentioned unlucky town that I was +persuaded to recruit myself after my fatigues in a neighbouring and +little-frequented watering-place. + + +I must now pass rapidly over one period of my history, on which how +gladly would I dwell, could I conjure up your lively powers of +delineation! But the vivid hues which are at your command, and +which alone can give life and animation to the picture, have left no +trace within me; and were I now to endeavour to recall the joys, the +griefs, the pure and enchanting emotions, which once held such +powerful dominion in my breast, it would be like striking a rock +which yields no longer the living spring, and whose spirit has fled +for ever. With what an altered aspect do those bygone days now +present themselves to my gaze! + +In this watering-place I acted an heroic character, badly studied; +and being a novice on such a stage, I forgot my part before a pair +of lovely blue eyes. + +All possible means were used by the infatuated parents to conclude +the bargain; and deception put an end to these usual artifices. And +that is all--all. + +The powerful emotions which once swelled my bosom seem now in the +retrospect to be poor and insipid, nay, even terrible to me. + +Alas, Minna! as I wept for thee the day I lost thee, so do I now +weep that I can no longer retrace thine image in my soul. + +Am I, then, so far advanced into the vale of years? O fatal effects +of maturity! would that I could feel one throb, one emotion of +former days of enchantment--alas, not one! a solitary being, tossed +on the wild ocean of life--it is long since I drained thine +enchanted cup to the dregs! + +But to return to my narrative. I had sent Bendel to the little town +with plenty of money to procure me a suitable habitation. He spent +my gold profusely; and as he expressed himself rather reservedly +concerning his distinguished master (for I did not wish to be +named), the good people began to form rather extraordinary +conjectures. + +As soon as my house was ready for my reception, Bendel returned to +conduct me to it. We set out on our journey. About a league from +the town, on a sunny plain, we were stopped by a crowd of people, +arrayed in holiday attire for some festival. The carriage stopped. +Music, bells, cannons, were heard; and loud acclamations rang +through the air. + +Before the carriage now appeared in white dresses a chorus of +maidens, all of extraordinary beauty; but one of them shone in +resplendent loveliness, and eclipsed the rest as the sun eclipses +the stars of night. She advanced from the midst of her companions, +and, with a lofty yet winning air, blushingly knelt before me, +presenting on a silken cushion a wreath, composed of laurel +branches, the olive, and the rose, saying something respecting +majesty, love, honour, &c., which I could not comprehend; but the +sweet and silvery magic of her tones intoxicated my senses and my +whole soul: it seemed as if some heavenly apparition were hovering +over me. The chorus now began to sing the praises of a good +sovereign, and the happiness of his subjects. All this, dear +Chamisso, took place in the sun: she was kneeling two steps from +me, and I, without a shadow, could not dart through the air, nor +fall on my knees before the angelic being. Oh, what would I not now +have given for a shadow! To conceal my shame, agony, and despair, I +buried myself in the recesses of the carriage. Bendel at last +thought of an expedient; he jumped out of the carriage. I called +him back, and gave him out of the casket I had by me a rich diamond +coronet, which had been intended for the lovely Fanny. + +He stepped forward, and spoke in the name of his master, who, he +said, was overwhelmed by so many demonstrations of respect, which he +really could not accept as an honour--there must be some error; +nevertheless he begged to express his thanks for the goodwill of the +worthy townspeople. In the meantime Bendel had taken the wreath +from the cushion, and laid the brilliant crown in its place. He +then respectfully raised the lovely girl from the ground; and, at +one sign, the clergy, magistrates, and all the deputations withdrew. +The crowd separated to allow the horses to pass, and we pursued our +way to the town at full gallop, through arches ornamented with +flowers and branches of laurel. Salvos of artillery again were +heard. The carriage stopped at my gate; I hastened through the +crowd which curiosity had attracted to witness my arrival. +Enthusiastic shouts resounded under my windows, from whence I +showered gold amidst the people; and in the evening the whole town +was illuminated. Still all remained a mystery to me, and I could +not imagine for whom I had been taken. I sent Rascal out to make +inquiry; and he soon obtained intelligence that the good King of +Prussia was travelling through the country under the name of some +count; that my aide-de-camp had been recognised, and that he had +divulged the secret; that on acquiring the certainty that I would +enter their town, their joy had known no bounds: however, as they +perceived I was determined on preserving the strictest incognito, +they felt how wrong they had been in too importunately seeking to +withdraw the veil; but I had received them so condescendingly and so +graciously, that they were sure I would forgive them. The whole +affair was such capital amusement to the unprincipled Rascal, that +he did his best to confirm the good people in their belief, while +affecting to reprove them. He gave me a very comical account of the +matter; and, seeing that I was amused by it, actually endeavoured to +make a merit of his impudence. + +Shall I own the truth? My vanity was flattered by having been +mistaken for our revered sovereign. I ordered a banquet to be got +ready for the following evening, under the trees before my house, +and invited the whole town. The mysterious power of my purse, +Bendel's exertions, and Rascal's ready invention, made the shortness +of the time seem as nothing. + +It was really astonishing how magnificently and beautifully +everything was arranged in these few hours. Splendour and abundance +vied with each other, and the lights were so carefully arranged that +I felt quite safe: the zeal of my servants met every exigency and +merited all praise. + +Evening drew on, the guests arrived, and were presented to me. The +word MAJESTY was now dropped; but, with the deepest respect and +humility, I was addressed as the COUNT. What could I do? I +accepted the title, and from that moment I was known as Count Peter. +In the midst of all this festivity my soul pined for one individual. +She came late--she who was the empress of the scene, and wore the +emblem of sovereignty on her brow. + +She modestly accompanied her parents, and seemed unconscious of her +transcendent beauty. + +The Ranger of the Forests, his wife, and daughter, were presented to +me. I was at no loss to make myself agreeable to the parents; but +before the daughter I stood like a well-scolded schoolboy, incapable +of speaking a single word. + +At length I hesitatingly entreated her to honour my banquet by +presiding at it--an office for which her rare endowments pointed her +out as admirably fitted. With a blush and an expressive glance she +entreated to be excused; but, in still greater confusion than +herself, I respectfully begged her to accept the homage of the first +and most devoted of her subjects, and one glance of the count was +the same as a command to the guests, who all vied with each other in +acting up to the spirit of the noble host. + +In her person majesty, innocence, and grace, in union with beauty, +presided over this joyous banquet. Minna's happy parents were +elated by the honours conferred upon their child. As for me, I +abandoned myself to all the intoxication of delight: I sent for all +the jewels, pearls, and precious stones still left to me--the +produce of my fatal wealth--and, filling two vases, I placed them on +the table, in the name of the Queen of the banquet, to be divided +among her companions and the remainder of the ladies. + +I ordered gold in the meantime to be showered down without ceasing +among the happy multitude. + +Next morning Bendel told me in confidence that the suspicions he had +long entertained of Rascal's honesty were now reduced to a +certainty; he had yesterday embezzled many bags of gold. + +"Never mind," said I; "let him enjoy his paltry booty. I like to +spend it; why should not he? Yesterday he, and all the newly- +engaged servants whom you had hired, served me honourably, and +cheerfully assisted me to enjoy the banquet." + +No more was said on the subject. Rascal remained at the head of my +domestics. Bendel was my friend and confidant; he had by this time +become accustomed to look upon my wealth as inexhaustible, without +seeking to inquire into its source. He entered into all my schemes, +and effectually assisted me in devising methods of spending my +money. + +Of the pale, sneaking scoundrel--the unknown--Bendel only knew thus +much, that he alone had power to release me from the curse which +weighed so heavily on me, and yet that I stood in awe of him on whom +all my hopes rested. Besides, I felt convinced that he had the +means of discovering ME under any circumstances, while he himself +remained concealed. I therefore abandoned my fruitless inquiries, +and patiently awaited the appointed day. + +The magnificence of my banquet, and my deportment on the occasion, +had but strengthened the credulous townspeople in their previous +belief. + +It appeared soon after, from accounts in the newspapers, that the +whole history of the King of Prussia's fictitious journey originated +in mere idle report. But a king I was, and a king I must remain by +all means; and one of the richest and most royal, although people +were at a loss to know where my territories lay. + +The world has never had reason to lament the scarcity of monarchs, +particularly in these days; and the good people, who had never yet +seen a king, now fancied me to be first one, and then another, with +equal success; and in the meanwhile I remained as before, Count +Peter. + +Among the visitors at this watering-place a merchant made his +appearance, one who had become a bankrupt in order to enrich +himself. He enjoyed the general good opinion; for he projected a +shadow of respectable size, though of somewhat faint hue. + +This man wished to show off in this place by means of his wealth, +and sought to rival me. My purse soon enabled me to leave the poor +devil far behind. To save his credit he became bankrupt again, and +fled beyond the mountains; and thus I was rid of him. Many a one in +this place was reduced to beggary and ruin through my means. + +In the midst of the really princely magnificence and profusion, +which carried all before me, my own style of living was very simple +and retired. I had made it a point to observe the strictest +precaution; and, with the exception of Bendel, no one was permitted, +on any pretence whatever, to enter my private apartment. As long as +the sun shone I remained shut up with him; and the Count was then +said to be deeply occupied in his closet. The numerous couriers, +whom I kept in constant attendance about matters of no importance, +were supposed to be the bearers of my despatches. I only received +company in the evening under the trees of my garden, or in my +saloons, after Bendel's assurance of their being carefully and +brilliantly lit up. + +My walks, in which the Argus-eyed Bendel was constantly on the watch +for me, extended only to the garden of the forest-ranger, to enjoy +the society of one who was dear to me as my own existence. + +Oh, my Chamisso! I trust thou hast not forgotten what love is! I +must here leave much to thine imagination. Minna was in truth an +amiable and excellent maiden: her whole soul was wrapped up in me, +and in her lowly thoughts of herself she could not imagine how she +had deserved a single thought from me. She returned love for love +with all the full and youthful fervour of an innocent heart; her +love was a true woman's love, with all the devotion and total +absence of selfishness which is found only in woman; she lived but +in me, her whole soul being bound up in mine, regardless what her +own fate might be. + +Yet I, alas, during those hours of wretchedness--hours I would even +now gladly recall--how often have I wept on Bendel's bosom, when +after the first mad whirlwind of passion I reflected, with the +keenest self-upbraidings, that I, a shadowless man, had, with cruel +selfishness, practised a wicked deception, and stolen away the pure +and angelic heart of the innocent Minna! + +At one moment I resolved to confess all to her; then that I would +fly for ever; then I broke out into a flood of bitter tears, and +consulted Bendel as to the means of meeting her again in the +forester's garden. + +At times I flattered myself with great hopes from the near +approaching visit of the unknown; then wept again, because I saw +clearly on reflection that they would end in disappointment. I had +made a calculation of the day fixed on by the fearful being for our +interview; for he had said in a year and a day, and I depended on +his word. + +The parents were worthy old people, devoted to their only child; and +our mutual affection was a circumstance so overwhelming that they +knew not how to act. They had never dreamed for a moment that the +Count could bestow a thought on their daughter; but such was the +case--he loved and was beloved. The pride of the mother might not +have led her to consider such an alliance quite impossible, but so +extravagant an idea had never entered the contemplation of the +sounder judgment of the old man. Both were satisfied of the +sincerity of my love, and could but put up prayers to Heaven for the +happiness of their child. + +A letter which I received from Minna about that time has just fallen +into my hands. Yes, these are the characters traced by her own +hand. I will transcribe the letter:- + +"I am indeed a weak, foolish girl to fancy that the friend I so +tenderly love could give an instant's pain to his poor Minna! Oh +no! thou art so good, so inexpressibly good! But do not +misunderstand me. I will accept no sacrifice at thy hands--none +whatever. Oh heavens! I should hate myself! No; thou hast made me +happy, thou hast taught me to love thee. + +"Go, then--let me not forget my destiny--Count Peter belongs not to +me, but to the whole world; and oh! what pride for thy Minna to hear +thy deeds proclaimed, and blessings invoked on thy idolised head! +Ah! when I think of this, I could chide thee that thou shouldst for +one instant forget thy high destiny for the sake of a simple maiden! +Go, then; otherwise the reflection will pierce me. How blest I have +been rendered by thy love! Perhaps, also, I have planted some +flowers in the path of thy life, as I twined them in the wreath +which I presented to thee. + +"Go, then--fear not to leave me--you are too deeply seated in my +heart--I shall die inexpressibly happy in thy love." + +Conceive how these words pierced my soul, Chamisso! + +I declared to her that I was not what I seemed--that, although a +rich, I was an unspeakably miserable man--that a curse was on me, +which must remain a secret, although the only one between us--yet +that I was not without a hope of its being removed--that this +poisoned every hour of my life--that I should plunge her with me +into the abyss--she, the light and joy, the very soul of my +existence. Then she wept because I was unhappy. Oh! Minna was all +love and tenderness. To save me one tear she would gladly have +sacrificed her life. + +Yet she was far from comprehending the full meaning of my words. +She still looked upon me as some proscribed prince or illustrious +exile; and her vivid imagination had invested her lover with every +lofty attribute. + +One day I said to her, "Minna, the last day in next month will +decide my fate, and perhaps change it for the better; if not, I +would sooner die than render you miserable." + +She laid her head on my shoulder to conceal her tears. "Should thy +fate be changed," she said, "I only wish to know that thou art +happy; if thy condition is an unhappy one, I will share it with +thee, and assist thee to support it." + +"Minna, Minna!" I exclaimed, "recall those rash words--those mad +words which have escaped thy lips! Didst thou know the misery and +curse--didst thou know who--what--thy lover--Seest thou not, my +Minna, this convulsive shuddering which thrills my whole frame, and +that there is a secret in my breast which you cannot penetrate?" +She sank sobbing at my feet, and renewed her vows and entreaties. + +Her father now entered, and I declared to him my intention to +solicit the hand of his daughter on the first day of the month after +the ensuing one. I fixed that time, I told him, because +circumstances might probably occur in the interval materially to +influence my future destiny; but my love for his daughter was +unchangeable. + +The good old man started at hearing such words from the mouth of +Count Peter. He fell upon my neck, and rose again in the utmost +confusion for having forgotten himself. Then he began to doubt, to +ponder, and to scrutinise; and spoke of dowry, security, and future +provision for his beloved child. I thanked him for having reminded +me of all this, and told him it was my wish to remain in a country +where I seemed to be beloved, and to lead a life free from anxiety. +I then commissioned him to purchase the finest estate in the +neighbourhood in the name of his daughter--for a father was the best +person to act for his daughter in such a case--and to refer for +payment to me. This occasioned him a good deal of trouble, as a +stranger had everywhere anticipated him; but at last he made a +purchase for about 150,000 pounds. + +I confess this was but an innocent artifice to get rid of him, as I +had frequently done before; for it must be confessed that he was +somewhat tedious. The good mother was rather deaf, and not jealous, +like her husband, of the honour of conversing with the Count. + +The happy party pressed me to remain with them longer this evening. +I dared not--I had not a moment to lose. I saw the rising moon +streaking the horizon--my hour was come. + +Next evening I went again to the forester's garden. I had wrapped +myself closely up in my cloak, slouched my hat over my eyes, and +advanced towards Minna. As she raised her head and looked at me, +she started involuntarily. The apparition of that dreadful night in +which I had been seen without a shadow was now standing distinctly +before me--it was she herself. Had she recognised me? She was +silent and thoughtful. I felt an oppressive load at my heart. I +rose from my seat. She laid her head on my shoulder, still silent +and in tears. I went away. + +I now found her frequently weeping. I became more and more +melancholy. Her parents were beyond expression happy. The eventful +day approached, threatening and heavy, like a thundercloud. The +evening preceding arrived. I could scarcely breathe. I had +carefully filled a large chest with gold, and sat down to await the +appointed time--the twelfth hour--it struck. + +Now I remained with my eyes fixed on the hand of the clock, counting +the seconds--the minutes--which struck me to the heart like daggers. +I started at every sound--at last daylight appeared. The leaden +hours passed on--morning--evening--night came. Hope was fast fading +away as the hand advanced. It struck eleven--no one appeared--the +last minutes--the first and last stroke of the twelfth hour died +away. I sank back in my bed in an agony of weeping. In the morning +I should, shadowless as I was, claim the hand of my beloved Minna. +A heavy sleep towards daylight closed my eyes. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + + +It was yet early, when I was suddenly awoke by voices in hot dispute +in my antechamber. I listened. Bendel was forbidding Rascal to +enter my room, who swore he would receive no orders from his equals, +and insisted on forcing his way. The faithful Bendel reminded him +that if such words reached his master's ears, he would turn him out +of an excellent place. Rascal threatened to strike him if he +persisted in refusing his entrance. + +By this time, having half dressed myself, I angrily threw open the +door, and addressing myself to Rascal, inquired what he meant by +such disgraceful conduct. He drew back a couple of steps, and +coolly answered, "Count Peter, may I beg most respectfully that you +will favour me with a sight of your shadow? The sun is now shining +brightly in the court below." + +I stood as if struck by a thunderbolt, and for some time was unable +to speak. At last, I asked him how a servant could dare to behave +so towards his master. He interrupted me by saying, quite coolly, +"A servant may be a very honourable man, and unwilling to serve a +shadowless master--I request my dismissal." + +I felt that I must adopt a softer tone, and replied, "But, Rascal, +my good fellow, who can have put such strange ideas into your head? +How can you imagine--" + +He again interrupted me in the same tone--"People say you have no +shadow. In short, let me see your shadow, or give me my dismissal." + +Bendel, pale and trembling, but more collected than myself, made a +sign to me. I had recourse to the all-powerful influence of gold. +But even gold had lost its power--Rascal threw it at my feet: "From +a shadowless man," he said, "I will take nothing." + +Turning his back upon me, and putting on his hat, he then slowly +left the room, whistling a tune. I stood, with Bendel, as if +petrified, gazing after him. + +With a deep sigh and a heavy heart I now prepared to keep my +engagement, and to appear in the forester's garden like a criminal +before his judge. I entered by the shady arbour, which had received +the name of Count Peter's arbour, where we had appointed to meet. +The mother advanced with a cheerful air; Minna sat fair and +beautiful as the early snow of autumn reposing on the departing +flowers, soon to be dissolved and lost in the cold stream. + +The ranger, with a written paper in his hand, was walking up and +down in an agitated manner, and struggling to suppress his feelings- +-his usually unmoved countenance being one moment flushed, and the +next perfectly pale. He came forward as I entered, and, in a +faltering voice, requested a private conversation with me. The path +by which he requested me to follow him led to an open spot in the +garden, where the sun was shining. I sat down. A long silence +ensued, which even the good woman herself did not venture to break. +The ranger, in an agitated manner, paced up and down with unequal +steps. At last he stood still; and glancing over the paper he held +in his hand, he said, addressing me with a penetrating look, + +"Count Peter, do you know one Peter Schlemihl?" I was silent. + +"A man," he continued, "of excellent character and extraordinary +endowments." + +He paused for an answer.--"And supposing I myself were that very +man?" + +"You!" he exclaimed, passionately; "he has lost his shadow!" + +"Oh, my suspicion is true!" cried Minna; "I have long known it--he +has no shadow!" And she threw herself into her mother's arms, who, +convulsively clasping her to her bosom, reproached her for having so +long, to her hurt, kept such a secret. But, like the fabled +Arethusa, her tears, as from a fountain, flowed more abundantly, and +her sobs increased at my approach. + +"And so," said the ranger fiercely, "you have not scrupled, with +unparalleled shamelessness, to deceive both her and me; and you +pretended to love her, forsooth--her whom you have reduced to the +state in which you now see her. See how she weeps!--Oh, shocking, +shocking!" + +By this time I had lost all presence of mind; and I answered, +confusedly, "After all, it is but a shadow, a mere shadow, which a +man can do very well without; and really it is not worth the while +to make all this noise about such a trifle." Feeling the +groundlessness of what I was saying, I ceased, and no one +condescended to reply. At last I added, "What is lost to-day may be +found to-morrow." + +"Be pleased, sir," continued the ranger, in great wrath--"be pleased +to explain how you have lost your shadow." + +Here again an excuse was ready: "A boor of a fellow," said I, "one +day trod so rudely on my shadow that he tore a large hole in it. I +sent it to be repaired--for gold can do wonders--and yesterday I +expected it home again." + +"Very well," answered the ranger. "You are a suitor for my +daughter's hand, and so are others. As a father, I am bound to +provide for her. I will give you three days to seek your shadow. +Return to me in the course of that time with a well-fitted shadow, +and you shall receive a hearty welcome; otherwise, on the fourth +day--remember, on the fourth day--my daughter becomes the wife of +another." + +I now attempted to say one word to Minna; but, sobbing more +violently, she clung still closer to her mother, who made a sign for +me to withdraw. I obeyed; and now the world seemed shut out from me +for ever. + +Having escaped from the affectionate care of Bendel, I now wandered +wildly through the neighbouring woods and meadows. Drops of anguish +fell from my brow, deep groans burst from my bosom--frenzied despair +raged within me. + +I knew not how long this had lasted, when I felt myself seized by +the sleeve on a sunny heath. I stopped, and looking up, beheld the +grey-coated man, who appeared to have run himself out of breath in +pursuing me. He immediately began: + +"I had," said he, "appointed this day; but your impatience +anticipated it. All, however, may yet be right. Take my advice-- +redeem your shadow, which is at your command, and return immediately +to the ranger's garden, where you will be well received, and all the +past will seem a mere joke. As for Rascal--who has betrayed you in +order to pay his addresses to Minna--leave him to me; he is just a +fit subject for me." + +I stood like one in a dream. "This day?" I considered again. He +was right--I had made a mistake of a day. I felt in my bosom for +the purse. He perceived my intention, and drew back. + +"No, Count Peter; the purse is in good hands--pray keep it." I +gazed at him with looks of astonishment and inquiry. "I only beg a +trifle as a token of remembrance. Be so good as to sign this +memorandum." On the parchment, which he held out to me, were these +words: --"By virtue of this present, to which I have appended my +signature, I hereby bequeath my soul to the holder, after its +natural separation from my body." + +I gazed in mute astonishment alternately at the paper and the grey +unknown. In the meantime he had dipped a new pen in a drop of blood +which was issuing from a scratch in my hand just made by a thorn. +He presented it to me. "Who are you?" at last I exclaimed. "What +can it signify?" he answered; "do you not perceive who I am? A poor +devil--a sort of scholar and philosopher, who obtains but poor +thanks from his friends for his admirable arts, and whose only +amusement on earth consists in his small experiments. But just sign +this; to the right, exactly underneath--Peter Schlemihl." + +I shook my head, and replied, "Excuse me, sir; I cannot sign that." + +"Cannot!" he exclaimed; "and why not?" + +"Because it appears to me a hazardous thing to exchange my soul for +my shadow." + +"Hazardous!" he exclaimed, bursting into a loud laugh. "And, pray, +may I be allowed to inquire what sort of a thing your soul is?--have +you ever seen it?--and what do you mean to do with it after your +death? You ought to think yourself fortunate in meeting with a +customer who, during your life, in exchange for this infinitely- +minute quantity, this galvanic principle, this polarised agency, or +whatever other foolish name you may give it, is willing to bestow on +you something substantial--in a word, your own identical shadow, by +virtue of which you will obtain your beloved Minna, and arrive at +the accomplishment of all your wishes; or do you prefer giving up +the poor young girl to the power of that contemptible scoundrel +Rascal ? Nay, you shall behold her with your own eyes. Come here; +I will lend you an invisible cap (he drew something out of his +pocket), and we will enter the ranger's garden unseen." + +I must confess that I felt excessively ashamed to be thus laughed at +by the grey stranger. I detested him from the very bottom of my +soul; and I really believe this personal antipathy, more than +principle or previously-formed opinion, restrained me from +purchasing my shadow, much as I stood in need of it, at such an +expense. Besides, the thought was insupportable, of making this +proposed visit in his society. To behold this hateful sneak, this +mocking fiend, place himself between me and my beloved, between our +torn and bleeding hearts, was too revolting an idea to be +entertained for a moment. I considered the past as irrevocable, my +own misery as inevitable; and turning to the grey man, I said, "I +have exchanged my shadow for this very extraordinary purse, and I +have sufficiently repented it. For Heaven's sake, let the +transaction be declared null and void!" He shook his head; and his +countenance assumed an expression of the most sinister cast. I +continued, "I will make no exchange whatever, even for the sake of +my shadow, nor will I sign the paper. It follows, also, that the +incognito visit you propose to me would afford you far more +entertainment than it could possibly give me. Accept my excuses, +therefore; and, since it must be so, let us part." + +"I am sorry, Mr. Schlemihl, that you thus obstinately persist in +rejecting my friendly offer. Perhaps, another time, I may be more +fortunate. Farewell! May we shortly meet again! But, a propos, +allow me to show you that I do not undervalue my purchase, but +preserve it carefully." + +So saying, he drew my shadow out of his pocket; and shaking it +cleverly out of its folds, he stretched it out at his feet in the +sun--so that he stood between two obedient shadows, his own and +mine, which was compelled to follow and comply with his every +movement. + +On again beholding my poor shadow after so long a separation, and +seeing it degraded to so vile a bondage at the very time that I was +so unspeakably in want of it, my heart was ready to burst, and I +wept bitterly. The detested wretch stood exulting over his prey, +and unblushingly renewed his proposal. "One stroke of your pen, and +the unhappy Minna is rescued from the clutches of the villain +Rascal, and transferred to the arms of the high-born Count Peter-- +merely a stroke of your pen!" + +My tears broke out with renewed violence; but I turned away from +him, and made a sign for him to be gone. + +Bendel, whose deep solicitude had induced him to come in search of +me, arrived at this very moment. The good and faithful creature, on +seeing me weeping, and that a shadow (evidently mine) was in the +power of the mysterious unknown, determined to rescue it by force, +should that be necessary; and disdaining to use any finesse, he +desired him directly, and without any disputing, to restore my +property. Instead of a reply, the grey man turned his back on the +worthy fellow, and was making off. But Bendel raised his buck-thorn +stick; and following close upon him, after repeated commands, but in +vain, to restore the shadow, he made him feel the whole force of his +powerful arm. The grey man, as if accustomed to such treatment, +held down his head, slouched his shoulders, and, with soft and +noiseless steps, pursued his way over the heath, carrying with him +my shadow, and also my faithful servant. For a long time I heard +hollow sounds ringing through the waste, until at last they died +away in the distance, and I was again left to solitude and misery. + + +Alone on the wild heath, I disburdened my heart of an insupportable +load by giving free vent to my tears. But I saw no bounds, no +relief, to my surpassing wretchedness; and I drank in the fresh +poison which the mysterious stranger had poured into my wounds with +a furious avidity. As I retraced in my mind the loved image of my +Minna, and depicted her sweet countenance all pale and in tears, +such as I had beheld her in my late disgrace, the bold and sarcastic +visage of Rascal would ever and anon thrust itself between us. I +hid my face, and fled rapidly over the plains; but the horrible +vision unrelentingly pursued me, till at last I sank breathless on +the ground, and bedewed it with a fresh torrent of tears--and all +this for a shadow!--a shadow which one stroke of the pen would +repurchase. I pondered on the singular proposal, and on my +hesitation to comply with it. My mind was confused--I had lost the +power of judging or comprehending. The day was waning apace. I +satisfied the cravings of hunger with a few wild fruits, and +quenched my thirst at a neighbouring stream. Night came on; I threw +myself down under a tree, and was awoke by the damp morning air from +an uneasy sleep, in which I had fancied myself struggling in the +agonies of death. Bendel had certainly lost all trace of me, and I +was glad of it. I did not wish to return among my fellow-creatures- +-I shunned them as the hunted deer flies before its pursuers. Thus +I passed three melancholy days. + +I found myself on the morning of the fourth on a sandy plain, +basking in the rays of the sun, and sitting on a fragment of rock; +for it was sweet to enjoy the genial warmth of which I had so long +been deprived. Despair still preyed on my heart. Suddenly a slight +sound startled me; I looked round, prepared to fly, but saw no one. +On the sunlit sand before me flitted the shadow of a man not unlike +my own; and wandering about alone, it seemed to have lost its +master. This sight powerfully excited me. "Shadow!" thought I, +"art thou in search of thy master? in me thou shalt find him." And +I sprang forward to seize it, fancying that could I succeed in +treading so exactly in its traces as to step in its footmarks, it +would attach itself to me, and in time become accustomed to me, and +follow all my movements. + +The shadow, as I moved, took to flight, and I commenced a hot chase +after the airy fugitive, solely excited by the hope of being +delivered from my present dreadful situation; the bare idea inspired +me with fresh strength and vigour. + +The shadow now fled towards a distant wood, among whose shades I +must necessarily have lost it. Seeing this, my heart beat wild with +fright, my ardour increased and lent wings to my speed. I was +evidently gaining on the shadow--I came nearer and nearer--I was +within reach of it, when it suddenly stopped and turned towards me. +Like a lion darting on its prey, I made a powerful spring and fell +unexpectedly upon a hard substance. Then followed, from an +invisible hand, the most terrible blows in the ribs that anyone ever +received. The effect of my terror made me endeavour convulsively to +strike and grasp at the unseen object before me. The rapidity of my +motions brought me to the ground, where I lay stretched out with a +man under me, whom I held tight, and who now became visible. + +The whole affair was now explained. The man had undoubtedly +possessed the bird's nest which communicates its charm of +invisibility to its possessor, though not equally so to his shadow; +and this nest he had now thrown away. I looked all round, and soon +discovered the shadow of this invisible nest. I sprang towards it, +and was fortunate enough to seize the precious booty, and +immediately became invisible and shadowless. + +The moment the man regained his feet he looked all round over the +wide sunny plain to discover his fortunate vanquisher, but could see +neither him nor his shadow, the latter seeming particularly to be +the object of his search: for previous to our encounter he had not +had leisure to observe that I was shadowless, and he could not be +aware of it. Becoming convinced that all traces of me were lost, he +began to tear his hair, and give himself up to all the frenzy of +despair. In the meantime, this newly acquired treasure communicated +to me both the ability and the desire to mix again among mankind. + +I was at a loss for a pretext to vindicate this unjust robbery--or, +rather, so deadened had I become, I felt no need of a pretext; and +in order to dissipate every idea of the kind, I hastened on, +regardless of the unhappy man, whose fearful lamentations long +resounded in my ears. Such, at the time, were my impressions of all +the circumstances of this affair. + +I now ardently desired to return to the ranger's garden, in order to +ascertain in person the truth of the information communicated by the +odious unknown; but I knew not where I was, until, ascending an +eminence to take a survey of the surrounding country, I perceived, +from its summit, the little town and the gardens almost at my feet. +My heart beat violently, and tears of a nature very different from +those I had lately shed filled my eyes. I should, then, once more +behold her! + +Anxiety now hastened my steps. Unseen I met some peasants coming +from the town; they were talking of me, of Rascal, and of the +ranger. I would not stay to listen to their conversation, but +proceeded on. My bosom thrilled with expectation as I entered the +garden. At this moment I heard something like a hollow laugh which +caused me involuntarily to shudder. I cast a rapid glance around, +but could see no one. I passed on; presently I fancied I heard the +sound of footsteps close to me, but no one was within sight. My +ears must have deceived me. + +It was early; no one was in Count Peter's bower--the gardens were +deserted. I traversed all the well-known paths, and penetrated even +to the dwelling-house itself. The same rustling sound became now +more and more audible. With anguished feelings I sat down on a seat +placed in the sunny space before the door, and actually felt some +invisible fiend take a place by me, and heard him utter a sarcastic +laugh. The key was turned in the door, which was opened. The +forest-master appeared with a paper in his hand. Suddenly my head +was, as it were, enveloped in a mist. I looked up, and, oh horror! +the grey-coated man was at my side, peering in my face with a +satanic grin. He had extended the mist-cap he wore over my head. +His shadow and my own were lying together at his feet in perfect +amity. He kept twirling in his hand the well-known parchment with +an air of indifference; and while the ranger, absorbed in thought, +and intent upon his paper, paced up and down the arbour, my +tormentor confidentially leaned towards me, and whispered, "So, Mr. +Schlemihl, you have at length accepted my invitation; and here we +sit, two heads under one hood, as the saying is. Well, well, all in +good time. But now you can return me my bird's nest--you have no +further occasion for it; and I am sure you are too honourable a man +to withhold it from me. No need of thanks, I assure you; I had +infinite pleasure in lending it to you." He took it out of my +unresisting hand, put it into his pocket, and then broke into so +loud a laugh at my expense, that the forest-master turned round, +startled at the sound. I was petrified. "You must acknowledge," he +continued, "that in our position a hood is much more convenient. It +serves to conceal not only a man, but his shadow, or as many shadows +as he chooses to carry. I, for instance, to-day bring two, you +perceive." He laughed again. "Take notice, Schlemihl, that what a +man refuses to do with a good grace in the first instance, he is +always in the end compelled to do. I am still of opinion that you +ought to redeem your shadow and claim your bride (for it is yet +time); and as to Rascal, he shall dangle at a rope's end--no +difficult matter, so long as we can find a bit. As a mark of +friendship I will give you my cap into the bargain." + +The mother now came out, and the following conversation took place: +"What is Minna doing?" "She is weeping." "Silly child! what good +can that do?" "None, certainly; but it is so soon to bestow her +hand on another. O husband, you are too harsh to your poor child." +"No, wife; you view things in a wrong light. When she finds herself +the wife of a wealthy and honourable man, her tears will soon cease; +she will waken out of a dream, as it were, happy and grateful to +Heaven and to her parents, as you will see." "Heaven grant it may +be so!" replied the wife. "She has, indeed, now considerable +property; but after the noise occasioned by her unlucky affair with +that adventurer, do you imagine that she is likely soon to meet with +so advantageous a match as Mr. Rascal? Do you know the extent of +Mr. Rascal's influence and wealth? Why, he has purchased with ready +money, in this country, six millions of landed property, free from +all encumbrances. I have had all the documents in my hands. It was +he who outbid me everywhere when I was about to make a desirable +purchase; and, besides, he has bills on Mr. Thomas John's house to +the amount of three millions and a half." "He must have been a +prodigious thief!" "How foolishly you talk! he wisely saved where +others squandered their property." "A mere livery-servant!" +"Nonsense! he has at all events an unexceptionable shadow." "True, +but . . . " + +While this conversation was passing, the grey-coated man looked at +me with a satirical smile. + +The door opened, and Minna entered, leaning on the arm of her female +attendant, silent tears flowing down her fair but pallid face. She +seated herself in the chair which had been placed for her under the +lime-trees, and her father took a stool by her side. He gently +raised her hand; and as her tears flowed afresh, he addressed her in +the most affectionate manner + +"My own dear, good child--my Minna--will act reasonably, and not +afflict her poor old father, who only wishes to make her happy. My +dearest child, this blow has shaken you--dreadfully, I know it; but +you have been saved, as by a miracle, from a miserable fate, my +Minna. You loved the unworthy villain most tenderly before his +treachery was discovered: I feel all this, Minna; and far be it +from me to reproach you for it--in fact, I myself loved him so long +as I considered him to be a person of rank: you now see yourself +how differently it has turned out. Every dog has a shadow; and the +idea of my child having been on the eve of uniting herself to a man +who . . . but I am sure you will think no more of him. A suitor has +just appeared for you in the person of a man who does not fear the +sun--an honourable man--no prince indeed, but a man worth ten +millions of golden ducats sterling--a sum nearly ten times larger +than your fortune consists of--a man, too, who will make my dear +child happy--nay, do not oppose me--be my own good, dutiful child-- +allow your loving father to provide for you, and to dry up these +tears. Promise to bestow your hand on Mr. Rascal. Speak my child: +will you not?" + +Minna could scarcely summon strength to reply that she had now no +longer any hopes or desires on earth, and that she was entirely at +her father's disposal. Rascal was therefore immediately sent for, +and entered the room with his usual forwardness; but Minima in the +meantime had swooned away. + +My detested companion looked at me indignantly, and whispered, "Can +you endure this? Have you no blood in your veins?" He instantly +pricked my finger, which bled. "Yes, positively," he exclaimed, +"you have some blood left!--come, sign." The parchment and pen were +in my hand! + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + + +I submit myself to thy judgment, my dear Chamisso; I do not seek to +bias it. I have long been a rigid censor of myself, and nourished +at my heart the worm of remorse. This critical moment of my life is +ever present to my soul, and I dare only cast a hesitating glance at +it, with a deep sense of humiliation and grief. Ah, my dear friend, +he who once permits himself thoughtlessly to deviate but one step +from the right road, will imperceptibly find himself involved in +various intricate paths, all leading him farther and farther astray. +In vain he beholds the guiding-stars of Heaven shining before him. +No choice is left him--he must descend the precipice, and offer +himself up a sacrifice to his fate. After the false step which I +had rashly made, and which entailed a curse upon me, I had, in the +wantonness of passion, entangled one in my fate who had staked all +her happiness upon me. What was left for me to do in a case where I +had brought another into misery, but to make a desperate leap in the +dark to save her ?--the last, the only means of rescue presented +itself. Think not so meanly of me, Chamisso, as to imagine that I +would have shrunk from any sacrifice on my part. In such a case it +would have been but a poor ransom. No, Chamisso; but my whole soul +was filled with unconquerable hatred to the cringing knave and his +crooked ways. I might be doing him injustice; but I shuddered at +the bare idea of entering into any fresh compact with him. But here +a circumstance took place which entirely changed the face of things +. . . + +I know not whether to ascribe it to excitement of mind, exhaustion +of physical strength (for during the last few days I had scarcely +tasted anything), or the antipathy I felt to the society of my +fiendish companion; but just as I was about to sign the fatal paper, +I fell into a deep swoon, and remained for a long time as if dead. +The first sounds which greeted my ear on recovering my consciousness +were those of cursing and imprecation; I opened my eyes--it was +dusk; my hateful companion was overwhelming me with reproaches. "Is +not this behaving like an old woman? Come, rise up, and finish +quickly what you were going to do; or perhaps you have changed your +determination, and prefer to lie groaning there?" + +I raised myself with difficulty from the ground and gazed around me +without speaking a word. It was late in the evening, and I heard +strains of festive music proceeding from the ranger's brilliantly +illuminated house; groups of company were lounging about the +gardens; two persons approached, and seating themselves on the bench +I had lately occupied, began to converse on the subject of the +marriage which had taken place that morning between the wealthy Mr. +Rascal and Minima. All was then over. + +I tore off the cap which rendered me invisible; and my companion +having disappeared, I plunged in silence into the thickest gloom of +the grove, rapidly passed Count Peter's bower towards the entrance- +gate; but my tormentor still haunted me, and loaded me with +reproaches. "And is this all the gratitude I am to expect from you, +Mr. Schlemihl--you, whom I have been watching all the weary day, +until you should recover from your nervous attack? What a fool's +part I have been enacting! It is of no use flying from me, Mr. +Perverse--we are inseparable--you have my gold, I have your shadow; +this exchange deprives us both of peace. Did you ever hear of a +man's shadow leaving him?--yours follows me until you receive it +again into favour, and thus free me from it. Disgust and weariness +sooner or later will compel you to do what you should have done +gladly at first. In vain you strive with fate!" + +He continued unceasingly in the same tone, uttering constant +sarcasms about the gold and the shadow, till I was completely +bewildered. To fly from him was impossible. I had pursued my way +through the empty streets towards my own house, which I could +scarcely recognise--the windows were broken to pieces, no light was +visible, the doors were shut, and the bustle of domestics had +ceased. My companion burst into a loud laugh. "Yes, yes," said he, +"you see the state of things: however, you will find your friend +Bendel at home; he was sent back the other day so fatigued, that I +assure you he has never left the house since. He will have a fine +story to tell! So I wish you a very good night--may we shortly meet +again!" + +I had repeatedly rung the bell: at last a light appeared; and +Bendel inquired from within who was there. The poor fellow could +scarcely contain himself at the sound of my voice. The door flew +open, and we were locked in each other's arms. I found him sadly +changed; he was looking ill and feeble. I, too, was altered; my +hair had become quite grey. He conducted me through the desolate +apartments to an inner room, which had escaped the general wreck. +After partaking of some refreshment, we seated ourselves; and, with +fresh lamentations, he began to tell me that the grey withered old +man whom he had met with my shadow had insensibly led him such a +zig-zag race, that he had lost all traces of me, and at last sank +down exhausted with fatigue; that, unable to find me, he had +returned home, when, shortly after the mob, at Rascal's instigation, +assembled violently before the house, broke the windows, and by all +sorts of excesses completely satiated their fury. Thus had they +treated their benefactor. My servants had fled in all directions. +The police had banished me from the town as a suspicious character, +and granted me an interval of twenty-four hours to leave the +territory. Bendel added many particulars as to the information I +had already obtained respecting Rascal's wealth and marriage. This +villain, it seems--who was the author of all the measures taken +against me--became possessed of my secret nearly from the beginning, +and, tempted by the love of money, had supplied himself with a key +to my chest, and from that time had been laying the foundation of +his present wealth. Bendel related all this with many tears, and +wept for joy that I was once more safely restored to him, after all +his fears and anxieties for me. In me, however, such a state of +things only awoke despair. + +My dreadful fate now stared me in the face in all its gigantic and +unchangeable horror. The source of tears was exhausted within me; +no groans escaped my breast; but with cool indifference I bared my +unprotected head to the blast. "Bendel," said I, "you know my fate; +this heavy visitation is a punishment for my early sins: but as for +thee, my innocent friend, I can no longer permit thee to share my +destiny. I will depart this very night--saddle me a horse--I will +set out alone. Remain here, Bendel--I insist upon it: there must +be some chests of gold still left in the house--take them, they are +thine. I shall be a restless and solitary wanderer on the face of +the earth; but should better days arise, and fortune once more smile +propitiously on me, then I will not forget thy steady fidelity; for +in hours of deep distress thy faithful bosom has been the depository +of my sorrows." With a bursting heart, the worthy Bendel prepared +to obey this last command of his master; for I was deaf to all his +arguments and blind to his tears. My horse was brought--I pressed +my weeping friend to my bosom--threw myself into the saddle, and, +under the friendly shades of night, quitted this sepulchre of my +existence, indifferent which road my horse should take; for now on +this side the grave I had neither wishes, hopes, nor fears. + +After a short time I was joined by a traveller on foot, who, after +walking for a while by the side of my horse, observed that as we +both seemed to be travelling the same road, he should beg my +permission to lay his cloak on the horse's back behind me, to which +I silently assented. He thanked me with easy politeness for this +trifling favour, praised my horse, and then took occasion to extol +the happiness and the power of the rich, and fell, I scarcely know +how, into a sort of conversation with himself, in which I merely +acted the part of listener. He unfolded his views of human life and +of the world, and, touching on metaphysics, demanded an answer from +that cloudy science to the question of questions--the answer that +should solve all mysteries. He deduced one problem from another in +a very lucid manner, and then proceeded to their solution. + +You may remember, my dear friend, that after having run through the +school-philosophy, I became sensible of my unfitness for +metaphysical speculations, and therefore totally abstained from +engaging in them. Since then I have acquiesced in some things, and +abandoned all hope of comprehending others; trusting, as you advised +me, to my own plain sense and the voice of conscience to direct and, +if possible, maintain me in the right path. + +Now this skilful rhetorician seemed to me to expend great skill in +rearing a firmly-constructed edifice, towering aloft on its own +self-supported basis, but resting on, and upheld by, some internal +principle of necessity. I regretted in it the total absence of what +I desired to find; and thus it seemed a mere work of art, serving +only by its elegance and exquisite finish to captivate the eye. +Nevertheless, I listened with pleasure to this eloquently gifted +man, who diverted my attention from my own sorrows to the speaker; +and he would have secured my entire acquiescence if he had appealed +to my heart as well as to my judgment. + +In the meantime the hours had passed away, and morning had already +dawned imperceptibly in the horizon; looking up, I shuddered as I +beheld in the east all those splendid hues that announce the rising +sun. At this hour, when all natural shadows are seen in their full +proportions, not a fence or a shelter of any kind could I descry in +this open country, and I was not alone! I cast a glance at my +companion, and shuddered again--it was the man in the grey coat +himself! He laughed at my surprise, and said, without giving me +time to speak: "You see, according to the fashion of this world, +mutual convenience binds us together for a time: there is plenty of +time to think of parting. The road here along the mountain, which +perhaps has escaped your notice, is the only one that you can +prudently take; into the valley you dare not descend--the path over +the mountain would but reconduct you to the town which you have +left--my road, too, lies this way. I perceive you change colour at +the rising sun--I have no objections to let you have the loan of +your shadow during our journey, and in return you may not be +indisposed to tolerate my society. You have now no Bendel; but I +will act for him. I regret that you are not over-fond of me; but +that need not prevent you from accepting my poor services. The +devil is not so black as he is painted. Yesterday you provoked me, +I own; but now that is all forgotten, and you must confess I have +this day succeeded in beguiling the wearisomeness of your journey. +Come, take your shadow, and make trial of it." + +The sun had risen, and we were meeting with passengers; so I +reluctantly consented. With a smile, he immediately let my shadow +glide down to the ground; and I beheld it take its place by that of +my horse, and gaily trot along with me. My feelings were anything +but pleasant. I rode through groups of country people, who +respectfully made way for the well-mounted stranger. Thus I +proceeded, occasionally stealing a sidelong glance with a beating +heart from my horse at the shadow once my own, but now, alas, +accepted as a loan from a stranger, or rather a fiend. He moved on +carelessly at my side, whistling a song. He being on foot, and I on +horseback, the temptation to hazard a silly project occurred to me; +so, suddenly turning my bridle, I set spurs to my horse, and at full +gallop struck into a by-path; but my shadow, on the sudden movement +of my horse, glided away, and stood on the road quietly awaiting the +approach of its legal owner. I was obliged to return abashed +towards the grey man; but he very coolly finished his song, and with +a laugh set my shadow to rights again, reminding me that it was at +my option to have it irrevocably fixed to me, by purchasing it on +just and equitable terms. "I hold you," said he, "by the shadow; +and you seek in vain to get rid of me. A rich man like you requires +a shadow, unquestionably; and you are to blame for not having seen +this sooner." + +I now continued my journey on the same road; every convenience and +even luxury of life was mine; I moved about in peace and freedom, +for I possessed a shadow, though a borrowed one; and all the respect +due to wealth was paid to me. But a deadly disease preyed on my +heart. My extraordinary companion, who gave himself out to be the +humble attendant of the richest individual in the world, was +remarkable for his dexterity; in short, his singular address and +promptitude admirably fitted him to be the very beau ideal of a rich +man's lacquey. But he never stirred from my side, and tormented me +with constant assurances that a day would most certainly come when, +if it were only to get rid of him, I should gladly comply with his +terms, and redeem my shadow. Thus he became as irksome as he was +hateful to me. I really stood in awe of him--I had placed myself in +his power. Since he had effected my return to the pleasures of the +world, which I had resolved to shun, he had the perfect mastery of +me. His eloquence was irresistible, and at times I almost thought +he was in the right. A shadow is indeed necessary to a man of +fortune; and if I chose to maintain the position in which he had +placed me, there was only one means of doing so. But on one point I +was immovable: since I had sacrificed my love for Minna, and +thereby blighted the happiness of my whole life, I would not now, +for all the shadows in the universe be induced to sign away my soul +to this being--I knew not how it might end. + +One day we were sitting by the entrance of a cavern, much visited by +strangers, who ascended the mountain: the rushing noise of a +subterranean torrent resounded from the fathomless abyss, the depths +of which exceeded all calculation. He was, according to his +favourite custom, employing all the powers of his lavish fancy, and +all the charm of the most brilliant colouring, to depict to me what +I might effect in the world by virtue of my purse, when once I had +recovered my shadow. With my elbows resting on my knees, I kept my +face concealed in my hands, and listened to the false fiend, my +heart torn between the temptation and my determined opposition to +it. Such indecision I could no longer endure, and resolved on one +decisive effort. + +"You seem to forget," said I, "that I tolerate your presence only on +certain conditions, and that I am to retain perfect freedom of +action." + +"You have but to command, I depart," was all his reply. + +The threat was familiar to me; I was silent. He then began to fold +up my shadow. I turned pale, but allowed him to continue. A long +silence ensued, which he was the first to break. + +"You cannot endure me, Mr Schlemihl--you hate me--I am aware of it-- +but why?--is it, perhaps, because you attacked me on the open plain, +in order to rob me of my invisible bird's nest? or is it because you +thievishly endeavoured to seduce away the shadow with which I had +entrusted you--my own property--confiding implicitly in your honour! +I, for my part, have no dislike to you. It is perfectly natural +that you should avail yourself of every means, presented either by +cunning or force, to promote your own interests. That your +principles also should be of the strictest sort, and your intentions +of the most honourable description,--these are fancies with which I +have nothing to do; I do not pretend to such strictness myself. +Each of us is free, I to act, and you to think, as seems best. Did +I ever seize you by the throat, to tear out of your body that +valuable soul I so ardently wish to possess? Did I ever set my +servant to attack you, to get back my purse, or attempt to run off +with it from you?" + +I had not a word to reply. + +"Well, well," he exclaimed, "you detest me, and I know it; but I +bear you no malice on that account. We must part--that is clear; +also I must say that you begin to be very tiresome to me. Once more +let me advise you to free yourself entirely from my troublesome +presence by the purchase of your shadow." + +I held out the purse to him. + +"No, Mr. Schlemihl; not at that price." + +With a deep sigh, I said, "Be it so, then; let us part, I entreat; +cross my path no more. There is surely room enough in the world for +us both." + +Laughing, he replied, "I go; but just allow me to inform you how you +may at any time recall me whenever you have a mind to see your most +humble servant: you have only to shake your purse, the sound of the +gold will bring me to you in an instant. In this world every one +consults his own advantage; but you see I have thought of yours, and +clearly confer upon you a new power. Oh this purse! it would still +prove a powerful bond between us, had the moth begun to devour your +shadow.--But enough: you hold me by my gold, and may command your +servant at any distance. You know that I can be very serviceable to +my friends; and that the rich are my peculiar care--this you have +observed. As to your shadow, allow me to say, you can only redeem +it on one condition." + +Recollections of former days came over me; and I hastily asked him +if he had obtained Mr. Thomas John's signature. + +He smiled, and said, "It was by no means necessary from so excellent +a friend." + +"Where is he? for God's sake tell me: I insist upon knowing." + +With some hesitation, he put his hand into his pocket; and drew out +the altered and pallid form of Mr. John by the hair of his head, +whose livid lips uttered the awful words, "Justo judicio Dei +judicatus sum; justo judicio Dei condemnatus sum"--"I am judged and +condemned by the just judgment of God." I was horror-struck; and +instantly throwing the jingling purse into the abyss, I exclaimed, +"Wretch! in the name of Heaven, I conjure you to be gone!--away from +my sight!--never appear before me again!" With a dark expression on +his countenance, he arose, and immediately vanished behind the huge +rocks which surrounded the place. + + + +CHAPTER V. + + + +I was now left equally without gold and without shadow; but a heavy +load was taken from my breast, and I felt cheerful. Had not my +Minna been irrecoverably lost to me, or even had I been perfectly +free from self-reproach on her account, I felt that happiness might +yet have been mine. At present I was lost in doubt as to my future +course. I examined my pockets, and found I had a few gold pieces +still left, which I counted with feelings of great satisfaction. I +had left my horse at the inn, and was ashamed to return, or at all +events I must wait till the sun had set, which at present was high +in the heavens. I laid myself down under a shady tree and fell into +a peaceful sleep. + +Lovely forms floated in airy measures before me, and filled up my +delightful dreams. Minna, with a garland of flowers entwined in her +hair, was bending over me with a smile of goodwill; also the worthy +Bendel was crowned with flowers, and hastened to meet me with +friendly greetings. Many other forms seemed to rise up confusedly +in the distance: thyself among the number, Chamisso. Perfect +radiance beamed around them, but none had a shadow; and what was +more surprising, there was no appearance of unhappiness on this +account. Nothing was to be seen or heard but flowers and music; and +love and joy, and groves of never-fading palms, seemed the natives +of that happy clime. + +In vain I tried to detain and comprehend the lovely but fleeting +forms. I was conscious, also, of being in a dream, and was anxious +that nothing should rouse me from it; and when I did awake, I kept +my eyes closed, in order if possible to continue the illusion. At +last I opened my eyes. The sun was now visible in the east; I must +have slept the whole night: I looked upon this as a warning not to +return to the inn. What I had left there I was content to lose, +without much regret; and resigning myself to Providence, I decided +on taking a by-road that led through the wooded declivity of the +mountain. I never once cast a glance behind me; nor did it ever +occur to me to return, as I might have done, to Bendel, whom I had +left in affluence. I reflected on the new character I was now going +to assume in the world. My present garb was very humble--consisting +of an old black coat I formerly had worn at Berlin, and which by +some chance was the first I put my hand on before setting out on +this journey, a travelling-cap, and an old pair of boots. I cut +down a knotted stick in memory of the spot, and commenced my +pilgrimage. + +In the forest I met an aged peasant, who gave me a friendly +greeting, and with whom I entered into conversation, requesting, as +a traveller desirous of information, some particulars relative to +the road, the country, and its inhabitants, the productions of the +mountain, &c. He replied to my various inquiries with readiness and +intelligence. At last we reached the bed of a mountain-torrent, +which had laid waste a considerable tract of the forest; I inwardly +shuddered at the idea of the open sunshine. I suffered the peasant +to go before me. In the middle of the very place which I dreaded so +much, he suddenly stopped, and turned back to give me an account of +this inundation; but instantly perceiving that I had no shadow, he +broke off abruptly, and exclaimed, "How is this?--you have no +shadow!" + +"Alas, alas!" said I, "in a long and serious illness I had the +misfortune to lose my hair, my nails, and my shadow. Look, good +father; although my hair has grown again, it is quite white; and at +my age, my nails are still very short; and my poor shadow seems to +have left me, never to return." + +"Ah!" said the old man, shaking his head; "no shadow! that was +indeed a terrible illness, sir." + +But he did not resume his narrative; and at the very first cross- +road we came to, left me without uttering a syllable. Fresh tears +flowed from my eyes, and my cheerfulness had fled. With a heavy +heart I travelled on, avoiding all society. I plunged into the +deepest shades of the forest; and often, to avoid a sunny tract of +country, I waited for hours till every human being had left it, and +I could pass it unobserved. In the evenings I took shelter in the +villages. I bent my steps to a mine in the mountains, where I hoped +to meet with work underground; for besides that my present situation +compelled me to provide for my own support, I felt that incessant +and laborious occupation alone could divert my mind from dwelling on +painful subjects. A few rainy days assisted me materially on my +journey; but it was to the no small detriment of my boots, the soles +of which were better suited to Count Peter than to the poor foot- +traveller. I was soon barefoot, and a new purchase must be made. +The following morning I commenced an earnest search in a +marketplace, where a fair was being held; and I saw in one of the +booths new and second-hand boots set out for sale. I was a long +time selecting and bargaining; I wished much to have a new pair, but +was frightened at the extravagant price; and so was obliged to +content myself with a second-hand pair, still pretty good and +strong, which the beautiful fair-haired youth who kept the booth +handed over to me with a cheerful smile, wishing me a prosperous +journey. I went on, and left the place immediately by the northern +gate. + +I was so lost in my own thoughts, that I walked along scarcely +knowing how or where. I was calculating the chances of my reaching +the mine by the evening, and considering how I should introduce +myself. I had not gone two hundred steps, when I perceived I was +not in the right road. I looked round, and found myself in a wild- +looking forest of ancient firs, where apparently the stroke of the +axe had never been heard. A few steps more brought me amid huge +rocks covered with moss and saxifragous plants, between which whole +fields of snow and ice were extended. The air was intensely cold. +I looked round, and the forest had disappeared behind me; a few +steps more, and there was the stillness of death itself. The icy +plain on which I stood stretched to an immeasurable distance, and a +thick cloud rested upon it; the sun was of a red blood-colour at the +verge of the horizon; the cold was insupportable. I could not +imagine what had happened to me. The benumbing frost made me +quicken my pace. I heard a distant sound of waters; and, at one +step more, I stood on the icy shore of some ocean. Innumerable +droves of sea-dogs rushed past me and plunged into the waves. I +continued my way along this coast, and again met with rocks, plains, +birch and fir forests, and yet only a few minutes had elapsed. It +was now intensely hot. I looked around, and suddenly found myself +between some fertile rice-fields and mulberry-trees; I sat down +under their shade, and found by my watch that it was just one +quarter of an hour since I had left the village market. I fancied +it was a dream; but no, I was indeed awake, as I felt by the +experiment I made of biting my tongue. I closed my eyes in order to +collect my scattered thoughts. Presently I heard unintelligible +words uttered in a nasal tone; and I beheld two Chinese, whose +Asiatic physiognomies were not to be mistaken, even had their +costume not betrayed their origin. They were addressing me in the +language and with the salutations of their country. I rose, and +drew back a couple of steps. They had disappeared; the landscape +was entirely changed; the rice-fields had given place to trees and +woods. I examined some of the trees and plants around me, and +ascertained such of them as I was acquainted with to be productions +of the southern part of Asia. I made one step towards a particular +tree, and again all was changed. I now moved on like a recruit at +drill, taking slow and measured steps, gazing with astonished eyes +at the wonderful variety of regions, plains, meadows, mountains, +steppes, and sandy deserts, which passed in succession before me. I +had now no doubt that I had seven-leagued boots on my feet. + +I fell on my knees in silent gratitude, shedding tears of +thankfulness; for I now saw clearly what was to be my future +condition. Shut out by early sins from all human society, I was +offered amends for the privation by Nature herself, which I had ever +loved. The earth was granted me as a rich garden; and the knowledge +of her operations was to be the study and object of my life. This +was not a mere resolution. I have since endeavoured, with anxious +and unabated industry, faithfully to imitate the finished and +brilliant model then presented to me; and my vanity has received a +check when led to compare the picture with the original. I rose +immediately, and took a hasty survey of this new field, where I +hoped afterwards to reap a rich harvest. + +I stood on the heights of Thibet; and the sun I had lately beheld in +the east was now sinking in the west. I traversed Asia from east to +west, and thence passed into Africa, which I curiously examined at +repeated visits in all directions. As I gazed on the ancient +pyramids and temples of Egypt, I descried, in the sandy deserts near +Thebes of the hundred gates, the caves where Christian hermits dwelt +of old. + +My determination was instantly taken, that here should be my future +dwelling. I chose one of the most secluded, but roomy, comfortable, +and inaccessible to the jackals. + +I stepped over from the pillars of Hercules to Europe; and having +taken a survey of its northern and southern countries, I passed by +the north of Asia, on the polar glaciers, to Greenland and America, +visiting both parts of this continent; and the winter, which was +already at its height in the south, drove me quickly back from Cape +Horn to the north. I waited till daylight had risen in the east of +Asia, and then, after a short rest, continued my pilgrimage. I +followed in both the Americas the vast chain of the Andes, once +considered the loftiest on our globe. I stepped carefully and +slowly from one summit to another, sometimes over snowy heights, +sometimes over flaming volcanoes, often breathless from fatigue. At +last I reached Elias's mountain, and sprang over Behring's Straits +into Asia; I followed the western coast in its various windings, +carefully observing which of the neighbouring isles was accessible +to me. From the peninsula of Malacca, my boots carried me to +Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Lombok. I made many attempts--often with +danger, and always unsuccessfully--to force my way over the numerous +little islands and rocks with which this sea is studded, wishing to +find a north-west passage to Borneo and other islands of the +Archipelago. + +At last I sat down at the extreme point of Lombok, my eyes turned +towards the south-east, lamenting that I had so soon reached the +limits allotted to me, and bewailing my fate as a captive in his +grated cell. Thus was I shut out from that remarkable country, New +Holland, and the islands of the southern ocean, so essentially +necessary to a knowledge of the earth, and which would have best +assisted me in the study of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. And +thus, at the very outset, I beheld all my labours condemned to be +limited to mere fragments. + +Ah! Chamisso, what is the activity of man? + +Frequently in the most rigorous winters of the southern hemisphere I +have rashly thrown myself on a fragment of drifting ice between Cape +Horn and Van Dieman's Land, in the hope of effecting a passage to +New Holland, reckless of the cold and the vast ocean, reckless of my +fate, even should this savage land prove my grave. + +But all in vain--I never reached New Holland. Each time, when +defeated in my attempt, I returned to Lombok; and seated at its +extreme point, my eyes directed to the south-east, I gave way afresh +to lamentations that my range of investigation was so limited. At +last I tore myself from the spot, and, heartily grieved at my +disappointment, returned to the interior of Asia. Setting out at +morning dawn, I traversed it from east to west, and at night reached +the cave in Thebes which I had previously selected for my dwelling- +place, and had visited yesterday afternoon. + +After a short repose, as soon as daylight had visited Europe, it was +my first care to provide myself with the articles of which I stood +most in need. First of all a drag, to act on my boots; for I had +experienced the inconvenience of these whenever I wished to shorten +my steps and examine surrounding objects more fully. A pair of +slippers to go over the boots served the purpose effectually; and +from that time I carried two pairs about me, because I frequently +cast them off from my feet in my botanical investigations, without +having time to pick them up, when threatened by the approach of +lions, men, or hyenas. My excellent watch, owing to the short +duration of my movements, was also on these occasions an admirable +chronometer. I wanted, besides, a sextant, a few philosophical +instruments, and some books. To purchase these things, I made +several unwilling journeys to London and Paris, choosing a time when +I could be hid by the favouring clouds. As all my ill-gotten gold +was exhausted, I carried over from Africa some ivory, which is there +so plentiful, in payment of my purchases--taking care, however, to +pick out the smallest teeth, in order not to over-burden myself. I +had thus soon provided myself with all that I wanted, and now +entered on a new mode of life as a student--wandering over the +globe--measuring the height of the mountains, and the temperature of +the air and of the springs--observing the manners and habits of +animals--investigating plants and flowers. From the equator to the +pole, and from the new world to the old, I was constantly engaged in +repeating and comparing my experiments. + +My usual food consisted of the eggs of the African ostrich or +northern sea-birds, with a few fruits, especially those of the palm +and the banana of the tropics. The tobacco-plant consoled me when I +was depressed; and the affection of my spaniel was a compensation +for the loss of human sympathy and society. When I returned from my +excursions, loaded with fresh treasures, to my cave in Thebes, which +he guarded during my absence, he ever sprang joyfully forward to +greet me, and made me feel that I was indeed not alone on the earth. +An adventure soon occurred which brought me once more among my +fellow-creatures. + + +One day, as I was gathering lichens and algae on the northern coast, +with the drag on my boots, a bear suddenly made his appearance, and +was stealing towards me round the corner of a rock. After throwing +away my slippers, I attempted to step across to an island, by means +of a rock, projecting from the waves in the intermediate space, that +served as a stepping-stone. I reached the rock safely with one +foot, but instantly fell into the sea with the other, one of my +slippers having inadvertently remained on. The cold was intense; +and I escaped this imminent peril at the risk of my life. On coming +ashore, I hastened to the Libyan sands to dry myself in the sun; but +the heat affected my head so much, that, in a fit of illness, I +staggered back to the north. In vain I sought relief by change of +place--hurrying from east to west, and from west to east--now in +climes of the south, now in those of the north; sometimes I rushed +into daylight, sometimes into the shades of night. I know not how +long this lasted. A burning fever raged in my veins; with extreme +anguish I felt my senses leaving me. Suddenly, by an unlucky +accident, I trod upon some one's foot, whom I had hurt, and received +a blow in return which laid me senseless. + +On recovering, I found myself lying comfortably in a good bed, +which, with many other beds, stood in a spacious and handsome +apartment. Some one was watching by me; people seemed to be walking +from one bed to another; they came beside me, and spoke of me as +NUMBER TWELVE. On the wall, at the foot of my bed--it was no +dream, for I distinctly read it--on a black-marble tablet was +inscribed my name, in large letters of gold + + +PETER SCHLEMIHL + + +Underneath were two rows of letters in smaller characters, which I +was too feeble to connect together, and closed my eyes again. + +I now heard something read aloud, in which I distinctly noted the +words, "Peter Schlemihl," but could not collect the full meaning. I +saw a man of benevolent aspect, and a very beautiful female dressed +in black, standing near my bed; their countenances were not unknown +to me, but in my weak state I could not remember who they were. +Some time elapsed, and I began to regain my strength. I was called +Number Twelve, and, from my long beard, was supposed to be a Jew, +but was not the less carefully nursed on that account. No one +seemed to perceive that I was destitute of a shadow. My boots, I +was assured, together with everything found on me when I was brought +here, were in safe keeping, and would be given up to me on my +restoration to health. This place was called the SCHLMEIHLIUM: the +daily recitation I had heard, was an exhortation to pray for Peter +Schlemihl as the founder and benefactor of this institution. The +benevolent-looking man whom I had seen by my bedside was Bendel; the +beautiful lady in black was Minna. + +I had been enjoying the advantages of the Schlemihlium without being +recognised; and I learned, further, that I was in Bendel's native +town, where he had employed a part of my once unhallowed gold in +founding an hospital in my name, under his superintendence, and that +its unfortunate inmates daily pronounced blessings on me. Minna had +become a widow: an unhappy lawsuit had deprived Rascal of his life, +and Minna of the greater part of her property. Her parents were no +more; and here she dwelt in widowed piety, wholly devoting herself +to works of mercy. + +One day, as she stood by the side of Number Twelve's bed with +Bendel, he said to her, "Noble lady, why expose yourself so +frequently to this unhealthy atmosphere? Has fate dealt so harshly +with you as to render you desirous of death?" + +"By no means, Mr. Bendel," she replied; "since I have awoke from my +long dream, all has gone well with me. I now neither wish for death +nor fear it, and think on the future and on the past with equal +serenity. Do you not also feel an inward satisfaction in thus +paying a pious tribute of gratitude and love to your old master and +friend?" + +"Thanks be to God, I do, noble lady," said he. "Ah, how wonderfully +has everything fallen out! How thoughtlessly have we sipped joys +and sorrows from the full cup now drained to the last drop; and we +might fancy the past a mere prelude to the real scene for which we +now wait armed by experience. How different has been the reality! +Yet let us not regret the past, but rather rejoice that we have not +lived in vain. As respects our old friend also, I have a firm hope +that it is now better with him than formerly." + +"I trust so, too," answered Minna; and so saying she passed by me, +and they departed. + +This conversation made a deep impression on me; and I hesitated +whether I should discover myself or depart unknown. At last I +decided; and, asking for pen and paper, wrote as follows:- + +"Matters are indeed better with your old friend than formerly. He +has repented; and his repentance has led to forgiveness." + +I now attempted to rise, for I felt myself stronger. The keys of a +little chest near my bed were given me; and in it I found all my +effects. I put on my clothes; fastened my botanical case round me-- +wherein, with delight, I found my northern lichens all safe--put on +my boots, and leaving my note on the table, left the gates, and was +speedily far advanced on the road to Thebes. + +Passing along the Syrian coast, which was the same road I had taken +on last leaving home, I beheld my poor Figaro running to meet me. +The faithful animal, after vainly waiting at home for his master's +return, had probably followed his traces. I stood still, and called +him. He sprang towards me with leaps and barks, and a thousand +demonstrations of unaffected delight. I took him in my arms--for he +was unable to follow me--and carried him home. + +There I found everything exactly in the order in which I had left +it; and returned by degrees, as my increasing strength allowed me, +to my old occupations and usual mode of life, from which I was kept +back a whole year by my fall into the Polar Ocean. And this, dear +Chamisso, is the life I am still leading. My boots are not yet worn +out, as I had been led to fear would be the case from that very +learned work of Tieckius--De rebus gestis Pollicilli. Their +energies remain unimpaired; and although mine are gradually failing +me, I enjoy the consolation of having spent them in pursuing +incessantly one object, and that not fruitlessly. + +So far as my boots would carry me, I have observed and studied our +globe and its conformation, its mountains and temperature, the +atmosphere in its various changes, the influences of the magnetic +power; in fact, I have studied all living creation--and more +especially the kingdom of plants--more profoundly than any one of +our race. I have arranged all the facts in proper order, to the +best of my ability, in different works. The consequences deducible +from these facts, and my views respecting them, I have hastily +recorded in some essays and dissertations. I have settled the +geography of the interior of Africa and the Arctic regions, of the +interior of Asia and of its eastern coast. My Historia stirpium +plantarum utriusque orbis is an extensive fragment of a Flora +universalis terrae and a part of my Systema naturae. Besides +increasing the number of our known species by more than a third, I +have also contributed somewhat to the natural system of plants and +to a knowledge of their geography. I am now deeply engaged on my +Fauna, and shall take care to have my manuscripts sent to the +University of Berlin before my decease. + +I have selected thee, my dear Chamisso, to be the guardian of my +wonderful history, thinking that, when I have left this world, it +may afford valuable instruction to the living. As for thee, +Chamisso, if thou wouldst live amongst thy fellow-creatures, learn +to value thy shadow more than gold; if thou wouldst only live to +thyself and thy nobler part--in this thou needest no counsel. + + + +APPENDIX. + + + +[From the prefatory matter prefixed to time Berlin edition, 1839, +from which the present translation is made.] + + + +PREFACE BY THE EDITOR. + + + +The origin of "Peter Schlemihl" is to be ascribed in a great degree +to circumstances that occurred in the life of the writer. During +the eventful year of 1813, when the movement broke out which +ultimately freed Germany from the yoke of her oppressor, and +precipitated his downfall, Chamisso was in Berlin. Everyone who +could wield a sword hastened then to employ it on behalf of Germany +and of the good cause. Chamisso had not only a powerful arm, but a +heart also of truly German mould; and yet he was placed in a +situation so peculiar as to isolate him among millions. As he was +of French parentage, the question was, not merely whether he should +fight on behalf of Germany, but, also, whether he should fight +against the people with whom he was connected by the ties of blood +and family relationship. Hence arose a struggle in his breast. "I, +and I alone, am forbidden at this juncture to wield a sword!" Such +was frequently his exclamation; and instead of meeting with sympathy +on account of his peculiar situation, he was frequently doomed to +hear, in the capital of Prussia, the head-quarters of the +confederation against France and Napoleon, expressions of hatred and +scorn directed against his countrymen. He was himself too equitable +to mistake the cause of such expressions, which were perfectly +natural under the circumstances, but they nevertheless deeply +afflicted him when they reached his ears. In this state of things +his friends resolved to remove him from such a scene of excitement, +and to place him amid the quiet scenery of the country. An asylum +was offered him in the family of Count Itzenplitsch, where he was +sufficiently near to become acquainted with the gradual development +of the all-important crisis, and yet free from any unpleasant +personal contact with it. Here, at the family-seat of Cunersdorf, +scarcely a day's journey from Berlin, wholly devoted to botany and +other favourite pursuits, Chamisso conceived the idea of "Peter +Schlemihl," and with rapid pen finished off the story. Chamisso's +letters of this date (in the first volume of his Life, by the writer +of this notice) afford evidence of this. + +The first edition of the incomparable story appeared in 1814, with a +dedication dated May 27, 1813; and it was just beginning to be known +in the world at the commencement of 1815, when the author left +Germany on a voyage round the world, of which the story contains a +remarkable anticipation. "Peter Schlemihl" was his parting +salutation to his second fatherland, and the first foundation-stone +of his future fame. + +Chamisso was often pestered with questions respecting what he really +meant by the story of Schlemihl. These questions amused as well as +annoyed him. The truth is, that his intention in writing it was +perhaps scarcely of so precise a nature as to admit of his giving a +formal account of it. The story sprang into being of itself, like +every work of genius, prompted by a self-creating power. In a +letter to the writer of this notice, after he had just commenced the +story, he says, "A book was the last thing you would have expected +from me! Place it before your wife this evening, if you have time; +should she be desirous to know Schlemihl's further adventures, and +particularly who the man in the grey cloak is--send me back the MS. +immediately, that I may continue the story; but if you do not return +it, I shall know the meaning of the signal perfectly." Is it +possible for any writer to submit himself to the scrutiny of the +public more good-naturedly? + +In the preface to the new French translation (which appeared in +1838) of this story, Chamisso amuses himself in his own peculiar +way, over the prying curiosity of those who want to know what his +real object was in writing this tale: --"The present story," he +says, "has fallen into the hands of thoughtful people, who, being +accustomed to read only for instruction's sake, have been at a loss +to know what the shadow signifies. On this point several have +formed curious hypotheses; others, who do me the honour to believe +that I am more learned than I really am, have addressed themselves +to me for the solution of their doubts. The questions with which +they have besieged me have made me blush on account of my ignorance. +I have therefore been induced to devote myself to the investigation +of a matter not hitherto the subject of my studies; and I now beg to +submit to the world the result of my learned researches. + +"'Concerning Shadows.--A dark body can only be partially illuminated +by a bright one. The dark space which lies in the direction of the +unilluminated part is what we call a SHADOW. Properly speaking, +shadow signifies a bodily space, the form of which depends upon the +form of the illuminating body, and upon their opposite position with +regard to each other. The shadow thrown on a surface, situated +before the shadow-projecting body, is, therefore, nothing else than +the intersection of this surface by the bodily space (in French, le +solide, on which word SOLID the whole force of the humour turns), +which we before designated by the word shadow.' + +"The question in this wonderful history of Peter Schlemihl relates +entirely to the last-mentioned quality, SOLIDITY. The science of +finance instructs us sufficiently as to the value of money: the +value of a shadow is less generally acknowledged. My thoughtless +friend was covetous of money, of which he knew the value, and forgot +to think on solid substance. It was his wish that the lesson which +he had paid for so dearly should be turned to our profit; and his +bitter experience calls to us with a loud voice, Think on the solid- +-the substantial!" So far Chamisso. + +"Peter Schlemihl" has been translated into almost all the languages +of Europe. Of the Dutch, Spanish, and Russian translations we do +not possess any copies. The French and Italian are as follows:- + +Pierre Schlemihl. Paris, chez Ladvocat, 1822.--This was revised by +Chamisso in manuscript, who added a preface to it; but the +translation was afterwards capriciously altered by the same +publisher. + +Un Roman du Poete Allemand contemporain, Adelbert de Chamisso; +traduit par N. Martin. Histoire merveilleuse de Pierre Schlemihl. +Dunquerque, 1837.--At the end the translator has added a letter to a +friend, with the Greek motto, "Life is the dream of a shadow." The +translator, while laughing in this letter at the Germans, who, he +says, ought to write three folio volumes of explanatory notes on the +little volume, falls into the error of being very diffuse himself in +the attempt to elucidate his author. His long letter concludes not +inappropriately with these words: "I have just observed, although +certainly rather late, that I have written a letter full of shadows, +and instead of lighting a torch to illuminate the darkness, have, I +fear, only deepened the gloom. Should this be the case, the reader +at any rate will not withhold from me the praise of having preserved +the colours of the original." + +Merveilleuse Histoire de Pierre Schlemihl. Enrichie d'une savente +preface, ou les curieux pourront apprendre ce que c'est que l'ombre. +Paris et Nurnberg, 1838. With illustrations.--This translation was +revised by Chamisso. + +L'Uomo senz' Ombra. Dono di simpatia al gentil sesso. Milano, +1838. Published as an Annual, with a Calendar, and Engravings.--The +editor is pleased not only to withhold the author's name, but +manages so to word his own preface as to lead his readers to +conclude that he himself is the author of the book. + +"Schlemihl" was also brought on the stage, but without giving the +honours of authorship to the true source. This took place at +Vienna, in February, 1819. The announcement ran thus:- +"Pulzlivizli, or the Man without a Shadow: a comic, enchanted +drama, in three acts, adapted from De la Motte Fouque, by Ferdinand +Rosenau." Among the characters were the grey man, and a certain +Albert, probably intended for Schlemihl. Of the contents of the +piece we know nothing. + +In England two editions have appeared [previous to the present,-- +Tr.]; one of which was reprinted at Boston in 1825. Of the +popularity of "Peter Schlemihl" in Great Britain we have a striking +proof, from a caricature that appeared shortly after the coronation +of William IV. On the celebration of this solemnity, a brother of +the King--the Duke of Cumberland--arrived from the Continent to be +present on the occasion; and as he was well known to be an ardent +Tory, his reception on the part of the people was not of the most +flattering description. As a consequence of this, and owing, +perhaps, to an expression that fell from the Duke, that "popularity +is only a shadow," the caricature made its appearance. In the +foreground of the print is seen a striking likeness of the royal +Duke in the costume of the Order of the Garter. On his right stands +the King, with the crown on his head, and reflecting a goodly shadow +on the wall. Between the King and his brother are some courtiers, +who exclaim, in a tone of commiseration, "Lost, or stolen, a +gentleman's shadow." At the bottom of the print is the following +inscription:- + +"PETER SCHLEMIHL AT THE CORONATION. + +Granted that popularity is nothing but a shadow, it is still far +from pleasant to be without that shadow." + + + +BRIEF SKETCH OF CHAMISSO'S LIFE. + + + +Louis Adelbert de Chamisso was born January 27, 1781, at Beaucourt, +in Champagne. At the Revolution, he left France with his parents, +and came to Berlin, where, in 1796, he was appointed page to the +King, and soon after had a commission given him in the army. He +applied himself with much ardour to acquire the German language, and +felt great interest in the study of its literature, particularly its +poetry and philosophy, and was most attracted by those writers whose +character presented the greatest contrast to that of his own +countrymen. By intercourse with the learned, and by the friendships +which he formed, he soon became thoroughly German, which he proved +by his poems, which were distinguished above the crowd of such +compositions by the originality of their style, and peculiar vigour. +From 1804 to 1806 he published the "Almanack of the Muses," in +conjunction with Varnhagen von Ense. At the peace of Tilsit he left +the army, and visited France, when his family obtained back part of +their possessions. At this time he held, for a short period, a +situation as Professor at the school of Napoleonville, but soon +returned to Germany, devoting himself wholly to a literary life, and +in particular to the study of natural history. During his visit to +France, he spent some time with Madame de Stael, whom he also +visited in Switzerland. In 1811 he returned to Berlin; and in 1813 +he wrote his "Peter Schlemihl," which marked him out as a man of +distinguished and original genius. It was published in 1814 by his +friend Fouque. When Count Runnjanzow resolved on undertaking a +voyage round the world, he invited Chamisso to accompany him as +naturalist to the expedition--an invitation which he gladly +embraced. The ships left Cronstadt in 1815, and returned in 1818; +and although the discovery of a North-West passage--the great object +of the expedition--was not attained, yet extensive acquisitions were +made in every department of scientific research. Chamisso's share +in the voyage is recorded in the third volume of the account of it +published at Weimar in 1821, and does honour to his spirit of +careful observation and his accuracy. He now again fixed his +residence at Berlin, from whose university he received the degree of +doctor in philosophy. An appointment at the Botanic Garden allowed +him full liberty to follow up his favourite pursuit of natural +history, and bound him by still stronger ties to his second +fatherland. He now wrote an account of the principal plants of the +North of Germany, with views respecting the vegetable kingdom and +the science of botany: this work appeared at Berlin in 1827. +Poetry, however, had still some share of his attention; and he +continued, during the latter years of his life, to maintain his +claims to an honourable place among the poets of Germany. Several +of his ballads and romances rank with the most distinguished of +modern times in this branch of composition. Surrounded by a circle +of attached and admiring friends, Chamisso continued thus entirely +engaged till his death, in 1839, leaving behind him a name and works +which posterity "will not willingly let perish." + + + +FROM THE BARON DE LA MOTTE FOUQUE TO JULIUS EDWARD HITZIG. +[From the first edition.] + + + +We should take care, my dear Edward, not to expose the history of +poor Schlemihl to eyes unfit to look upon it. That would be a bad +experiment. Of such eyes there are plenty; and who is able to +predict what may befal a MANUSCRIPT, which is almost more difficult +to guard than spoken language? Like a person seized with vertigo, +therefore, who, in the paroxysm of his feelings, leaps into the +abyss, I commit the story to the press. + +And yet there are better and more serious reasons for the step I +have taken. If I am not wholly deceived, there are in our dear +Germany many hearts both capable and worthy of comprehending poor +Schlemihl, although a smile will arise on the countenance of many +among our honest countrymen at the bitter sport which was death to +him and to the innocent being whom he drew along with him. And you, +Edward, when you have seen the estimable work, and reflected on the +number of unknown and sympathising bosoms who, with ourselves, will +learn to love it,--you will, then, perhaps, feel that some drops of +consolation have been instilled into those wounds inflicted on you, +and on all who love you, by death. + +To conclude: I have become convinced, by repeated experience, that +a guardian angel watches over books, places them in proper hands, +and if not always, yet often, prevents them from falling into +improper. In any case, he exercises an invisible guardianship over +every work of true genius and genuine feeling, and with unfailing +tact and skill opens or shuts its pages as he sees fit. + +To this guardian angel I commit our "Schlemihl." And so, adieu! +FOUQUE. + +Neunhausen, May, 1814. + + + + +THE STORY WITHOUT AN END + + + + +TO MY DAUGHTER + + + +My Dear Child, + +The story you love so much in German I dedicate to you in English. +It was in compliance with your earnest wish that other children +might share the delight it has so often afforded you, that I +translated it; so that it is, in some sort, yours of right. Let us +hope that your confident expectations of sympathy in your pleasure +may not be disappointed; or that, if others think the story less +beautiful than you do, they may find compensation in the graceful +designs it has inspired. + +You have often regretted that it left off so soon, and would, I +believe, "have been glad to hear more and more, and for ever." The +continuation you have longed for lies in a wide and magnificent +book, which contains more wonderful and glorious things than all our +favourite fairy tales put together. But to read in that book, so as +to discover all its beautiful meanings, you must have pure, clear +eyes, and an humble, loving heart; otherwise you will complain, as +some do, that it is dim and puzzling; or, as others that it is dull +and monotonous. + +May you continue to read in it with new curiosity, new delight, and +new profit; and to find it, as long as you live, the untiring "Story +without an End." + +Your affectionate mother, +S. A. + + + +CHAPTER I. + + + +There was once a Child who lived in a little hut, and in the hut +there was nothing but a little bed and a looking-glass which hung in +a dark corner. Now the Child cared nothing at all about the +looking-glass; but as soon as the first sunbeam glided softly +through the casement, and kissed his sweet eyelids, and the finch +and the linnet waked him merrily with their morning songs, he arose, +and went out into the green meadow. And he begged flour of the +primrose, and sugar of the violet, and butter of the buttercup; he +shook dewdrops from the cowslip into the cup of a harebell; spread +out a large lime-leaf, set his little breakfast upon it, and feasted +daintily. Sometimes he invited a humming-bee, oftener a gay +butterfly, to partake his feast; but his favourite guest was the +blue dragon-fly. The bee murmured a good deal, in a solemn tone, +about his riches; but the Child thought that if he were a bee, heaps +of treasure would not make him gay and happy; and that it must be +much more delightful and glorious to float about in the free and +fresh breezes of spring, and to hum joyously in the web of the +sunbeams, than, with heavy feet and heavy heart, to stow the silver +wax and the golden honey into cells. + +To this the Butterfly assented; and he told how once on a time, he +too had been greedy and sordid; how he had thought of nothing but +eating, and had never once turned his eyes upwards to the blue +heavens. At length, however, a complete change had come over him; +and instead of crawling spiritless about the dirty earth, half +dreaming, he all at once awaked as out of a deep sleep. And now he +would rise into the air;--and it was his greatest joy sometimes to +play with the light, and to reflect the heavens in the bright eyes +of his wings; sometimes to listen to the soft language of the +flowers, and catch their secrets. Such talk delighted the Child, +and his breakfast was the sweeter to him, and the sunshine on leaf +and flower seemed to him more bright and cheering. + +But when the Bee had flown off to beg from flower to flower, and the +Butterfly had fluttered away to his playfellows, the Dragon-fly +still remained, poised on a blade of grass. Her slender and +burnished body, more brightly and deeply blue than the deep blue +sky, glistened in the sun beam; and her net-like wings laughed at +the flowers because THEY could not fly, but must stand still and +abide the wind and the rain. The Dragon-fly sipped a little of the +Child's clear dew-drops and blue violet-honey, and then whispered +her winged words. And the Child made an end of his repast, closed +his dark blue eyes, bent down his beautiful head, and listened to +the sweet prattle. + + +Then the Dragon-fly told much of the merry life in the green wood; +how sometimes she played hide-and-seek with her playfellows under +the broad leaves of the oak and the beech trees; or hunt-the-hare +along the surface of the still waters; sometimes quietly watched the +sunbeams, as they flew busily from moss to flower and from flower to +bush, and shed life and warmth over all. But at night, she said, +the moonbeams glided softly around the wood, and dropped dew into +the mouths of all the thirsty plants; and when the dawn pelted the +slumberers with the soft roses of heaven, some of the half-drunken +flowers looked up and smiled; but most of them could not so much as +raise their heads for a long, long time. + +Such stories did the Dragon-fly tell; and as the Child sat +motionless with his eyes shut, and his head rested on his little +hand, she thought he had fallen asleep; so she poised her double +wings and flew into the rustling wood. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + + +But the Child was only sunk into a dream of delight, and was wishing +HE were a sunbeam or a moonbeam; and he would have been glad to hear +more and more, and for ever. But at last, as all was still, he +opened his eyes and looked around for his dear guest; but she was +flown far away; so he could not bear to sit there any longer alone, +and he rose and went to the gurgling brook. It gushed and rolled so +merrily, and tumbled so wildly along as it hurried to throw itself +head over heels into the river, just as if the great massy rock out +of which it sprang were close behind it, and could only be escaped +by a break-neck leap. + +Then the Child began to talk to the little waves, and asked them +whence they came. They would not stay to give him an answer, but +danced away, one over another; till at last, that the sweet Child +might not be grieved, a drop of water stopped behind a piece of +rock. From her the Child heard strange histories, but he could not +understand them all, for she told him about her former life, and +about the depths of the mountain. + +"A long while ago," said the Drop of Water, "I lived with my +countless sisters in the great ocean, in peace and unity. We had +all sorts of pastimes; sometimes we mounted up high into the air, +and peeped at the stars; then we sank plump down deep below, and +looked how the coral builders work till they are tired, that they +may reach the light of day at last. But I was conceited, and +thought myself much better than my sisters. And so one day, when +the sun rose out of the sea, I clung fast to one of his hot beams, +and thought that now I should reach the stars, and become one of +them. But I had not ascended far, when the sunbeam shook me off, +and in spite of all I could say or do, let me fall into a dark +cloud. And soon a flash of fire darted through the cloud, and now I +thought I must surely die; but the whole cloud laid itself down +softly upon the top of a mountain, and so I escaped with my fright, +and a black eye. Now I thought I should remain hidden, when all on +a sudden I slipped over a round pebble, fell from one stone to +another, down into the depths of the mountain, till at last it was +pitch dark, and I could neither see nor hear anything. Then I +found, indeed, that 'pride goeth before a fall,' resigned myself to +my fate, and, as I had already laid aside all my unhappy pride in +the cloud, my portion was now the salt of humility; and after +undergoing many purifications from the hidden virtues of metals and +minerals, I was at length permitted to come up once more into the +free cheerful air; and now will I run back to my sisters, and there +wait patiently till I am called to something better." + +But hardly had she done when the root of a forget-me-not caught the +drop of water by her hair and sucked her in, that she might become a +floweret, and twinkle brightly as a blue star on the green firmament +of earth. + + + +CHAPTER III. + + + +The Child did not very well know what to think of all this: he went +thoughtfully home and laid himself on his little bed; and all night +long he was wandering about on the ocean, and among the stars, and +over the dark mountain. But the moon loved to look on the +slumbering Child as he lay with his little head softly pillowed on +his right arm. She lingered a long time before his little window, +and went slowly away to lighten the dark chamber of some sick +person. + +As the moon's soft light lay on the Child's eyelids, he fancied he +sat in a golden boat, on a great, great water; countless stars swam +glittering on the dark mirror. He stretched out his hand to catch +the nearest star, but it had vanished, and the water sprayed up +against him. Then he saw clearly that these were not the real +stars; he looked up to heaven, and wished he could fly thither. + +But in the meantime the moon had wandered on her way; and now the +Child was led in his dream into the clouds, and he thought he was +sitting on a white sheep, and he saw many lambs grazing around him. +He tried to catch a little lamb to play with, but it was all mist +and vapour; and the Child was sorrowful, and wished himself down +again in his own meadow, where his own lamb was sporting gaily +about. + +Meanwhile the moon was gone to sleep behind the mountains, and all +around was dark. Then the Child dreamt that he fell down into the +dark, gloomy caverns of the mountain, and at that he was so +frightened, that he suddenly awoke, just as morning opened her clear +eye over the nearest hill. + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + + +The Child started up, and, to recover himself from his fright, went +into the little flower-garden behind his cottage, where the beds +were surrounded by ancient palm-trees, and where he knew that all +the flowers would nod kindly at him. But, behold, the Tulip turned +up her nose, and the Ranunculus held her head as stiffly as +possible, that she might not bow good-morrow to him. The Rose, with +her fair round cheeks, smiled and greeted the Child lovingly; so he +went up to her and kissed her fragrant mouth. And then the Rose +tenderly complained that he so seldom came into the garden, and that +she gave out her bloom and her fragrance the live-long day in vain; +for the other flowers could not see her, because they were too low, +or did not care to look at her, because they themselves were so rich +in bloom and fragrance. But she was most delighted when she glowed +in the blooming head of a child, and could pour out all her heart's +secrets to him in sweet odours. Among other things, the Rose +whispered in his ear that she was the fulness of beauty. + +And in truth the Child, while looking at her beauty, seemed to have +quite forgotten to go on; till the Blue Larkspur called to him, and +asked whether he cared nothing more about his faithful friend; she +said that she was unchanged, and that even in death she should look +upon him with eyes of unfading blue. + +The Child thanked her for her true-heartedness, and passed on to the +Hyacinth, who stood near the puffy, full-cheeked, gaudy Tulips. +Even from a distance the Hyacinth sent forth kisses to him, for she +knew not how to express her love. Although she was not remarkable +for her beauty, yet the Child felt himself wondrously attracted by +her, for he thought no flower loved him so well. But the Hyacinth +poured out her full heart and wept bitterly, because she stood so +lonely; the Tulips indeed were her countrymen, but they were so cold +and unfeeling that she was ashamed of them. The Child encouraged +her, and told her he did not think things were so bad as she +fancied. The Tulips spoke their love in bright looks, while she +uttered hers in fragrant words; that these, indeed, were lovelier +and more intelligible, but that the others were not to be despised. + +Then the Hyacinth was comforted, and said she would be content; and +the Child went on to the powdered Auricula, who, in her bashfulness, +looked kindly up to him, and would gladly have given him more than +kind looks, had she had more to give. But the Child was satisfied +with her modest greeting; he felt that he was poor too, and he saw +the deep, thoughtful colours that lay beneath her golden dust. But +the humble flower, of her own accord, sent him to her neighbour, the +Lily, whom she willingly acknowledged as her queen. And when the +Child came to the Lily, the slender flower waved to and fro and +bowed her pale head with gentle pride and stately modesty, and sent +forth a fragrant greeting to him. The Child knew not what had come +to him: it reached his inmost heart, so that his eyes filled with +soft tears. Then he marked how the lily gazed with a clear and +steadfast eye upon the sun, and how the sun looked down again into +her pure chalice, and how, amid this interchange of looks, the three +golden threads united in the centre. And the Child heard how one +scarlet Lady-bird at the bottom of the cup said to another, "Knowest +thou not that we dwell in the flower of heaven?" and the other +replied, "Yes; and now will the mystery be fulfilled." And as the +Child saw and heard all this, the dim image of his unknown parents, +as it were veiled in a holy light, floated before his eyes: he +strove to grasp it, but the light was gone, and the Child slipped, +and would have fallen, had not the branch of a currant bush caught +and held him; and he took some of the bright berries for his +morning's meal, and went back to his hut and stripped the little +branches. + + + +CHAPTER V. + + + +But in the hut he stayed not long, all was so gloomy, close, and +silent within, and abroad everything seemed to smile, and to exult +in the clear and unbounded space. Therefore the Child went out into +the green wood, of which the Dragon-fly had told him such pleasant +stories. But he found everything far more beautiful and lovely even +than she had described it; for all about, wherever he went, the +tender moss pressed his little feet, and the delicate grass embraced +his knees, and the flowers kissed his hands, and even the branches +stroked his cheeks with a kind and refreshing touch, and the high +trees threw their fragrant shade around him. + +There was no end to his delight. The little birds warbled and sang, +and fluttered and hopped about, and the delicate wood-flowers gave +out their beauty and their odours; and every sweet sound took a +sweet odour by the hand, and thus walked through the open door of +the Child's heart, and held a joyous nuptial dance therein. But the +Nightingale and the Lily of the Valley led the dance; for the +Nightingale sang of nought but love, and the Lily breathed of nought +but innocence, and he was the bridegroom and she was the bride. And +the Nightingale was never weary of repeating the same thing a +hundred times over, for the spring of love which gushed from his +heart was ever new--and the Lily bowed her head bashfully, that no +one might see her glowing heart. And yet the one lived so solely +and entirely in the other, that no one could see whether the notes +of the Nightingale were floating lilies, or the lilies visible +notes, falling like dewdrops from the Nightingale's throat. + +The Child's heart was full of joy even to the brim. He set himself +down, and he almost thought he should like to take root there, and +live for ever among the sweet plants and flowers, and so become a +true sharer in all their gentle pleasures. For he felt a deep +delight in the still, secluded, twilight existence of the mosses and +small herbs, which felt not the storm, nor the frost, nor the +scorching sunbeam; but dwelt quietly among their many friends and +neighbours, feasting in peace and good fellowship on the dew and +cool shadows which the mighty trees shed upon them. To them it was +a high festival when a sunbeam chanced to visit their lowly home; +whilst the tops of the lofty trees could find joy and beauty only in +the purple rays of morning or evening. + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + + +And as the Child sat there, a little Mouse rustled from among the +dry leaves of the former year, and a Lizard half glided from a +crevice in the rock, and both of them fixed their bright eyes upon +the little stranger; and when they saw that he designed them no +evil, they took courage and came nearer to him. + +"I should like to live with you," said the Child to the two little +creatures, in a soft, subdued voice, that he might not frighten +them. "Your chambers are so snug, so warm, and yet so shaded, and +the flowers grow in at your windows, and the birds sing you their +morning song, and call you to table and to bed with their clear +warblings." + +"Yes," said the Mouse, "it would be all very well if all the plants +bore nuts and mast, instead of those silly flowers; and if I were +not obliged to grub under ground in the spring, and gnaw the bitter +roots, whilst they are dressing themselves in their fine flowers and +flaunting it to the world, as if they had endless stores of honey in +their cellars." + +"Hold your tongue," interrupted the Lizard, pertly; "do you think, +because you are grey, that other people must throw away their +handsome clothes, or let them lie in the dark wardrobe under ground, +and wear nothing but grey too? I am not so envious. The flowers +may dress themselves as they like for me; they pay for it out of +their own pockets, and they feed bees and beetles from their cups; +but what I want to know is, of what use are birds in the world? +Such a fluttering and chattering, truly, from morning early to +evening late, that one is worried and stunned to death, and there is +never a day's peace for them. And they do nothing; only snap up the +flies and the spiders out of the mouths of such as I. For my part, +I should be perfectly satisfied, provided all the birds in the world +were flies and beetles." + +The Child changed colour, and his heart was sick and saddened when +he heard their evil tongues. He could not imagine how anybody could +speak ill of the beautiful flowers, or scoff at his beloved birds. +He was waked out of a sweet dream, and the wood seemed to him lonely +and desert, and he was ill at ease. He started up hastily, so that +the Mouse and the Lizard shrank back alarmed, and did not look +around them till they thought themselves safe out of the reach of +the stranger with the large, severe eyes. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + + +But the Child went away from the place; and as he hung down his head +thoughtfully, he did not observe that he took the wrong path, nor +see how the flowers on either side bowed their heads to welcome him, +nor hear how the old birds from the boughs, and the young from the +nests, cried aloud to him, "God bless thee, our dear little prince!" +And he went on and on, farther and farther, into the deep wood; and +he thought over the foolish and heartless talk of the two selfish +chatterers, and could not understand it. He would fain have +forgotten it, but he could not. And the more he pondered, the more +it seemed to him as if a malicious spider had spun her web around +him, and as if his eyes were weary with trying to look through it. + +And suddenly he came to a still water, above which young beeches +lovingly entwined their arms. He looked in the water, and his eyes +were riveted to it as if by enchantment. He could not move, but +stood and gazed in the soft, placid mirror, from the bosom of which +the tender green foliage, with the deep blue heavens between, +gleamed so wondrously upon him. His sorrow was all forgotten, and +even the echo of the discord in his little heart was hushed. That +heart was once more in his eyes; and fain would he have drunk in the +soft beauty of the colours that lay beneath him, or have plunged +into the lovely deep. + +Then the breeze began to sigh among the treetops. The Child raised +his eyes and saw overhead the quivering green, and the deep blue +behind it, and he knew not whether he were waking or dreaming: +which were the real leaves and the real heaven--those in the depths +above or in the depths beneath? Long did the Child waver, and his +thoughts floated in a delicious dreaminess from one to the other, +till the Dragon-fly flew to him in affectionate haste, and with +rustling wings greeted her kind host. The Child returned her +greeting, and was glad to meet an acquaintance with whom he could +share the rich feast of his joy. But first he asked the Dragon-fly +if she could decide for him between the Upper and the Nether--the +height and the depth? The Dragon-fly flew above, and beneath, and +around; but the Water spake:- "The foliage and the sky above are not +the true ones: the leaves wither and fall; the sky is often +overcast, and sometimes quite dark." Then the Leaves and the Sky +said, "The water only apes us; it must change its pictures at our +pleasure, and can retain none." Then the Dragon-fly remarked that +the height and the depth existed only in the eyes of the Child, and +that the Leaves and the Sky were true and real only in his thoughts; +because in the mind alone the picture was permanent and enduring, +and could be carried with him whithersoever he went. + +This she said to the Child; but she immediately warned him to +return, for the leaves were already beating the tattoo in the +evening breeze, and the lights were disappearing one by one in every +corner. Then the Child confessed to her with alarm that he knew not +how he should find the way back, and that he feared the dark night +would overtake him if he attempted to go home alone; so the Dragon- +fly flew on before him, and showed him a cave in the rock where he +might pass the night. + +And the Child was well content; for he had often wished to try if he +could sleep out of his accustomed bed. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + + +But the Dragon-fly was fleet, and gratitude strengthened her wings +to pay her host the honour she owed him. And truly, in the dim +twilight good counsel and guidance were scarce. She flitted hither +and thither without knowing rightly what was to be done; when, by +the last vanishing sunbeam, she saw hanging on the edge of the cave +some strawberries who had drunk so deep of the evening-red, that +their heads were quite heavy. Then she flew up to a Harebell who +stood near, and whispered in her ear that the lord and king of all +the flowers was in the wood, and ought to be received and welcomed +as beseemed his dignity. Aglaia did not need that this should be +repeated. She began to ring her sweet bells with all her might; and +when her neighbour heard the sound, she rang hers also; and soon all +the Harebells, great and small, were in motion, and rang as if it +had been for the nuptials of their Mother Earth herself with the +Prince of the Sun. The tone of the Bluebells was deep and rich, and +that of the white, high and clear, and all blended together in a +delicious harmony. + +But the birds were fast asleep in their high nests, and the ears of +the other animals were not delicate enough, or were too much +overgrown with hair, to hear them. The Fire-flies alone heard the +joyous peal, for they were akin to the flowers, through their common +ancestor, Light. They inquired of their nearest relation, the Lily +of the Valley, and from her they heard that a large flower had just +passed along the footpath more blooming than the loveliest rose, and +with two stars more brilliant than those of the brightest fire-fly, +and that it must needs be their King. Then all the Fire-flies flew +up and down the footpath, and sought everywhere, till at length they +came, as the Dragon-fly had hoped they would, to the cave. + +And now, as they looked at the Child, and every one of them saw +itself reflected in his clear eyes, they rejoiced exceedingly, and +called all their fellows together, and alighted on the bushes all +around; and soon it was so light in the cave, that herb and grass +began to grow as if it had been broad day. Now, indeed, was the joy +and triumph of the Dragon-fly complete. The Child was delighted +with the merry and silvery tones of the bells, and with the many +little bright-eyed companions around him, and with the deep red +strawberries which bowed down their heads to his touch. + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + + +And when he had eaten his fill, he sat down on the soft moss, +crossed one little leg over the other, and began to gossip with the +Fire-flies. And as he so often thought on his unknown parents, he +asked them who were their parents. Then the one nearest to him gave +him answer; and he told how that they were formerly flowers, but +none of those who thrust their rooty hands greedily into the ground +and draw nourishment from the dingy earth, only to make themselves +fat and large withal; but that the light was dearer to them than +anything, even at night; and while the other flowers slept, they +gazed unwearied on the light, and drank it in with eager adoration-- +sun, and moon, and star light. And the light had so thoroughly +purified them, that they had not sucked in poisonous juices like the +yellow flowers of the earth, but sweet odours for sick and fainting +hearts, and oil of potent ethereal virtue for the weak and the +wounded; and at length, when their autumn came, they did not, like +the others, wither and sink down, leaf and flower, to be swallowed +up by the darksome earth, but shook off their earthly garment and +mounted aloft, into the clear air. But there it was so wondrously +bright, that sight failed them; and when they came to themselves +again, they were fire-flies, each sitting on a withered flower- +stalk. + +And now the Child liked the bright-eyed flies better than ever; and +he talked a little longer with them, and inquired why they showed +themselves so much more in spring. They did it, they said, in the +hope that their gold-green radiance might allure their cousins, the +flowers, to the pure love of light. + + + +CHAPTER X. + + + +During this conversation the dragon-fly had been preparing a bed for +her host. The moss upon which the Child sat had grown a foot high +behind his back, out of pure joy; but the dragon-fly and her sisters +had so revelled upon it, that it was now laid at its length along +the cave. The dragon-fly had awakened every spider in the +neighbourhood out of her sleep, and when they saw the brilliant +light, they had set to work spinning so industriously that their web +hung down like a curtain before the mouth of the cave. But as the +Child saw the ant peeping up at him, he entreated the fire-flies not +to deprive themselves any longer of their merry games in the wood on +his account. And the dragon-fly and her sisters raised the curtain +till the Child had laid him down to rest, and then let it fall +again, that the mischievous gnats might not get in to disturb his +slumbers. + +The Child laid himself down to sleep, for he was very tired; but he +could not sleep, for his couch of moss was quite another thing than +his little bed, and the cave was all strange to him. + +He turned himself on one side and then on the other, and, as nothing +would do, he raised himself and sat upright to wait till sleep might +choose to come. But sleep would not come at all; and the only +wakeful eyes in the whole wood were the Child's. For the harebells +had rung themselves weary, and the fire-flies had flown about till +they were tired, and even the dragon-fly, who would fain have kept +watch in front of the cave, had dropped sound asleep. + +The wood grew stiller and stiller; here and there fell a dry leaf +which had been driven from its old dwelling place by a fresh one; +here and there a young bird gave a soft chirp when its mother +squeezed it in the nest; and from time to time a gnat hummed for a +minute or two in the curtain, till a spider crept on tip-toe along +its web, and gave him such a gripe in the wind-pipe as soon spoiled +his trumpeting. + +And the deeper the silence became, the more intently did the Child +listen, and at last the slightest sound thrilled him from head to +foot. At length, all was still as death in the wood; and the world +seemed as if it never would wake again. The Child bent forward to +see whether it were as dark abroad as in the cave, but he saw +nothing save the pitch-dark night, who had wrapped everything in her +thick veil. Yet as he looked upwards his eyes met the friendly +glance of two or three stars, and this was a most joyful surprise to +him, for he felt himself no longer so entirely alone. The stars +were, indeed, far, far away, but yet he knew them, and they knew +him; for they looked into his eyes. + +The Child's whole soul was fixed in his gaze; and it seemed to him +as if he must needs fly out of the darksome cave, thither where the +stars were beaming with such pure and serene light; and he felt how +poor and lowly he was, when he thought of their brilliancy; and how +cramped and fettered, when he thought of their free unbounded course +along the heavens. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + + +But the stars went on their course, and left their glittering +picture only a little while before the Child's eyes. Even this +faded, and then vanished quite away. And he was beginning to feel +tired, and to wish to lay himself down again, when a flickering +Will-o'-the-wisp appeared from behind a bush--so that the Child +thought, at first, one of the stars had wandered out of its way, and +had come to visit him, and to take him with it. And the Child +breathed quick with joy and surprise, and then the Will-o'-the-wisp +came nearer, and sat himself down on a damp mossy stone in front of +the cave, and another fluttered quickly after him, and sat down over +against him and sighed deeply, "Thank God, then, that I can rest at +last!" + +"Yes," said the other, "for that you may thank the innocent Child +who sleeps there within; it was his pure breath that freed us." + +"Are you, then," said the Child, hesitatingly, "not of yon stars +which wander so brightly there above?" + +"Oh, if we were stars," replied the first, "we should pursue our +tranquil path through the pure element, and should leave this wood +and the whole darksome earth to itself." + +"And not," said the other, "sit brooding on the face of the shallow +pool." + +The Child was curious to know who these could be who shone so +beautifully, and yet seemed so discontented. Then the first began +to relate how he had been a child too, and how, as he grew up, it +had always been his greatest delight to deceive people and play them +tricks, to show his wit and cleverness. He had always, he said, +poured such a stream of smooth words over people, and encompassed +himself with such a shining mist, that men had been attracted by it +to their own hurt. But once on a time there appeared a plain man, +who only spoke two or three simple words, and suddenly the bright +mist vanished, and left him naked and deformed, to the scorn and +mockery of the whole world. But the man had turned away his face +from him in pity, while he was almost dead with shame and anger. +And when he came to himself again, he knew not what had befallen +him, till, at length, he found that it was his fate to hover, +without rest or change, over the surface of the bog as a Will-o'- +the-wisp. + +"With me it fell out quite otherwise," said the first: "instead of +giving light without warmth, as I now do, I burned without shining. +When I was only a child, people gave way to me in everything, so +that I was intoxicated with self-love. If I saw any one shine, I +longed to put out his light; and the more intensely I wished this, +the more did my own small glimmering turn back upon myself, and +inwardly burn fiercely while all without was darker than ever. But +if any one who shone more brightly would have kindly given me of his +light, then did my inward flame burst forth to destroy him. But the +flame passed through the light and harmed it not; it shone only the +more brightly, while I was withered and exhausted. And once upon a +time I met a little smiling child, who played with a cross of palm +branches, and wore a beamy coronet around his golden locks. He took +me kindly by the hand and said, 'My friend, you are now very gloomy +and sad, but if you will become a child again, even as I am, you +will have a bright circlet such as I have.' When I heard that, I +was so angry with myself and with the child, that I was scorched by +my inward fire. Now would I fain fly up to the sun to fetch rays +from him, but the rays drove me back with these words: + +'Return thither whence thou camest, thou dark fire of envy, for the +sun lightens only in love; the greedy earth, indeed, sometimes turns +his mild light into scorching fire. Fly back, then, for with thy +like alone must thou dwell.' I fell, and when I recovered myself I +was glimmering coldly above the stagnant waters." + +While they were talking the Child had fallen asleep, for he knew +nothing of the world nor of men, and he could make nothing of their +stories. Weariness had spoken a more intelligible language to him-- +THAT he understood, and he had fallen asleep. + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + + +Softly and soundly he slept till the rosy morning clouds stood upon +the mountain, and announced the coming of their lord, the sun. But +as soon as the tidings spread over field and wood, the thousand- +voiced echo awoke, and sleep was no more to be thought of. + +And soon did the royal sun himself arise; at first his dazzling +diadem alone appeared above the mountains; at length he stood upon +their summit in the full majesty of his beauty, in all the charms of +eternal youth, bright and glorious, his kindly glance embracing +every creature of earth, from the stately oak to the blade of grass +bending under the foot of the wayfaring man. Then arose from every +breast, from every throat, the joyous song of praise; and it was as +if the whole plain and wood were become a temple, whose roof was the +heaven, whose altar the mountain, whose congregation all creatures, +whose priest the sun. + +But the Child walked forth and was glad, for the birds sang sweetly, +and it seemed to him as if everything sported and danced out of mere +joy to be alive. Here flew two finches through the thicket, and, +twittering, pursued each other; there, the young buds burst asunder, +and the tender leaves peeped out and expanded themselves in the warm +sun, as if they would abide in his glance for ever; here, a dewdrop +trembled, sparkling and twinkling on a blade of grass, and knew not +that beneath him stood a little moss who was thirsting after him; +there, troops of flies flew aloft, as if they would soar far, far +over the wood: and so all was life and motion, and the Child's +heart joyed to see it. + +He sat down on a little smooth plot of turf, shaded by the branches +of a nut-bush, and thought he should now sip the cup of his delight, +drop by drop. And first he plucked down some brambles which +threatened him with their prickles; then he bent aside some branches +which concealed the view; then he removed the stones, so that he +might stretch out his feet at full length on the soft turf; and when +he had done all this, he bethought himself what was yet to do; and +as he found nothing, he stood up to look for his acquaintance the +dragon-fly, and to beg her to guide him once more out of the wood +into the open fields. About midway he met her, and she began to +excuse herself for having fallen asleep in the night. The Child +thought not of the past, were it even but a minute ago, so earnestly +did he now wish to get out from among the thick and close trees; for +his heart beat high, and he felt as if he should breathe freer in +the open ground. The dragon-fly flew on before and showed him the +way as far as the outermost verge of the wood, whence the Child +could espy his own little hut, and then flew away to her +playfellows. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + + +The Child walked forth alone upon the fresh dewy cornfield. A +thousand little suns glittered in his eyes, and a lark soared +warbling above his head. And the lark proclaimed the joys of the +coming year, and awakened endless hopes, while she soared circling +higher and higher, till, at length, her song was like the soft +whisper of an angel holding converse with the spring, under the blue +arch of heaven. The Child had seen the earth-coloured little bird +rise up before him, and it seemed to him as if the earth had sent +her forth from her bosom as a messenger to carry her joy and her +thanks up to the sun, because he had turned his beaming countenance +again upon her in love and bounty. And the lark hung poised above +the hope-giving field, and warbled her clear and joyous song. + +She sang of the loveliness of the rosy dawn, and the fresh +brilliancy of the earliest sunbeams; of the gladsome springing of +the young flowers, and the vigorous shooting of the corn; and her +song pleased the Child beyond measure. + +But the lark wheeled in higher and higher circles, and her song +sounded softer and sweeter. + +And now she sang of the first delights of early love; of wanderings +together on the sunny fresh hilltops, and of the sweet pictures and +visions that arise out of the blue and misty distance. The Child +understood not rightly what he heard, and fain would he have +understood, for he thought that even in such visions must be +wondrous delight. He gazed aloft after the unwearied bird, but she +had disappeared in the morning mist. + +Then the Child leaned his head on one shoulder to listen if he could +no longer hear the little messenger of spring; and he could just +catch the distant and quivering notes in which she sang of the +fervent longing after the clear element of freedom, after the pure +all-present light, and of the blessed foretaste of this desired +enfranchisement, of this blending in the sea of celestial happiness. + +Yet longer did he listen, for the tones of her song carried him +there, where, as yet, his thoughts had never reached, and he felt +himself happier in this short and imperfect flight than ever he had +felt before. But the lark now dropped suddenly to the earth, for +her little body was too heavy for the ambient ether, and her wings +were not large nor strong enough for the pure element. + +Then the red corn-poppies laughed at the homely looking bird, and +cried to one another and to the surrounding blades of corn in a +shrill voice, "Now, indeed, you may see what comes of flying so +high, and striving and straining after mere air; people only lose +their time, and bring back nothing but weary wings and an empty +stomach. That vulgar-looking ill-dressed little creature would fain +raise herself above us all, and has kept up a mighty noise. And now +there she lies on the ground and can hardly breathe, while we have +stood still where we are sure of a good meal, and have stayed, like +people of sense, where there is something substantial to be had; and +in the time she has been fluttering and singing, we have grown a +good deal taller and fatter." + +The other little redcaps chattered and screamed their assent so loud +that the Child's ears tingled, and he wished he could chastise them +for their spiteful jeers; when a cyane said, in a soft voice, to her +younger playmates, "Dear friends, be not led astray by outward show, +nor by discourse which regards only outward show. The lark is, +indeed, weary, and the space into which she has soared is void; but +the void is not what the lark sought, nor is the seeker returned +empty home. She strove after light and freedom, and light and +freedom has she proclaimed. She left the earth and its enjoyments, +but she has drunk of the pure air of heaven, and has seen that it is +not the earth, but the sun that is steadfast. And if earth has +called her back, it can keep nothing of her but what is its own. +Her sweet voice and her soaring wings belong to the sun, and will +enter into light and freedom long after the foolish prater shall +have sunk and been buried in the dark prison of the earth." + +And the lark heard her wise and friendly discourse, and with renewed +strength she sprang once more into the clear and beautiful blue. + +Then the Child clapped his little hands for joy, that the sweet bird +had flown up again, and that the redcaps must hold their tongues for +shame. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + + +And the Child was become happy and joyful, and breathed freely +again, and thought no more of returning to his hut, for he saw that +nothing returned inwards, but rather that all strove outwards into +the free air; the rosy apple blossoms from their narrow buds, and +the gurgling notes from the narrow breast of the lark. The germs +burst open the folding doors of the seeds, and broke through the +heavy pressure of the earth in order to get at the light; the +grasses tore asunder their bands, and their slender blades sprung +upward. Even the rocks were become gentle, and allowed little +mosses to peep out from their sides, as a sign that they would not +remain impenetrably closed for ever. And the flowers sent out +colour and fragrance into the whole world, for they kept not their +best for themselves, but would imitate the sun and the stars, which +poured their warmth and radiance over the spring. And many a little +gnat and beetle burst the narrow cell in which it was enclosed and +crept out slowly, and, half asleep, unfolded and shook its tender +wings, and soon gained strength, and flew off to untried delights. +And as the butterflies came forth from their chrysalids in all their +gaiety and splendour, so did every humbled and suppressed aspiration +and hope free itself, and boldly launch into the open and flowing +sea of spring. + + + + +HYMNS TO NIGHT. +(Translated from the German of Novalis.) + + + + +I. + + + +Who that has life and intelligence, loves not, before all the +surrounding miracles of space, ever-joyous light with its tints, its +beams, and its waves, its mild omnipresence, when it comes as the +waking day. Like the inmost soul of life, it is inhaled by the +giant universe of gleaming stars, that dance as they swim in its +blue flood; it is inhaled by the glittering, eternally motionless +stone, by the living plant that drinks it in, by the wild and +impetuous beast in its many forms; but above all, by the glorious +stranger, with eyes of intellect, majestic step, with lips +melodious, and gently closed. As a king over earthly nature, it +calls forth to countless changes every power, binds and loosens +bonds unnumbered, and hangs around every earthly being its heavenly +picture. Alone its presence declares the wondrous glory of the +kingdoms the world. + +I turn aside to the holy, the inexpressible, the mysterious Night. +Afar off lies the world, buried in some deep chasm: desolate and +lonely is the spot it filled. Through the chords of the breast +sighs deepest sorrow. I will sink down into the dewdrops, and with +ashes will I be commingled. The distant lines of memory, desires of +youth, the dreams of childhood, a whole life's short joys and hopes +vain, unfulfilled, come clothed in grey, like evening mists, when +the sun's glory has departed. Elsewhere has the light broken upon +habitations of gladness. What, should it never return again to its +children, who with the faith of innocence await its coming? + +What fount is thus suddenly opened within the heart, so full of +forethought, that destroys the soft breath of sorrow? Thou also-- +dost thou love us, gloomy Night? What holdest thou concealed +beneath thy mantle that draws my soul towards thee with such +mysterious power? Costly balsam raineth from thy hand; from thy +horn pourest thou out manna; the heavy wings of the spirit liftest +thou. Darkly and inexpressibly do we feel ourselves moved: a +solemn countenance I behold with glad alarm, that bends towards me +in gentle contemplation, displaying, among endless allurements of +the mother, lovely youth! How poor and childish does the light now +seem! How joyous and how hallowed is the day's departure!-- +Therefore then only, because Night dismissed thy vassals, hast thou +sown in the infinity of space those shining balls to declare thine +almighty power, and thy return in the season of absence? More +heavenly than those glittering stars seem the unnumbered eyes that +Night has opened within us. Farther can they see than beyond the +palest of that countless host; without need of light can they pierce +the depths of a spirit of love, that fills a yet more glorious space +with joy beyond expression. Glory to the world's Queen, the high +declarer of spheres of holiness, the nurse of hallowed love! Thee, +thou tenderly beloved one, doth she send to me--thee, lovely sun of +the Night. Now I awaken, for I am thine and mine: the Night hast +thou given as a sign of life, and made me man. Devour with glowing +spiritual fire this earthly body, that I ethereal may abide with +thee in union yet more perfect, and then may the bridal Night endure +for ever. + + + +II. + + + +Must ever the morn return? Is there no end to the sovereignty of +earth? Unhallowed occupation breaks the heavenly pinion of the +Night. Shall the secret offering of love at no time burn for ever? +To the Light is its period allotted; but beyond time and space is +the empire of the Night. Eternal is the duration of sleep. Thou +holy sleep! bless not too rarely the Night's dedicated son in this +earth's daily work! Fools alone recognise thee not, and know of no +sleep beyond the shadow which in that twilight of the actual Night +thou throwest in compassion over us. They feel thee not in the +vine's golden flood, in the almond-tree's marvel oil, and in the +brown juice of the manna; they know not that it is thou that +enhaloest the tender maiden's breast, and makest a heaven of her +bosom; conceive not that out of histories of old thou steppest forth +an opener of heaven, and bearest the key to the abodes of the +blessed, the silent messenger of unending mysteries. + + + +III. + + + +Once, when I was shedding bitter tears, when my hope streamed away +dissolved in sorrow, and I stood alone beside the barren hill, that +concealed in narrow gloomy space the form of my existence--alone, as +never solitary yet hath been, urged by an agony beyond expression, +powerless, no more than a mere thought of sorrow; as I looked around +me there for aid, could not advance, could not retire, and hung with +incessant longing upon fleeting, failing life;--then came there from +the blue distance, from the heights of my former happiness, a thin +veil of the twilight gloom, and in a moment burst the bondage of the +fetters of the birth of light. Then fled the glories of the earth, +and all my sorrow with them; sadness melted away in a new, an +unfathomable world; thou, inspiration of the Night, slumber of +heaven, camest over me; the spot whereon I stood rose insensibly on +high; above the spot soared forth my released and new-born spirit. +The hill became a cloud of dust; through the cloud I beheld the +revealed features of my beloved one. In her eyes eternity reposed; +I grasped her hands, and my tears formed a glittering, inseparable +bond. Ages were swept by like storms into the distance; on her neck +I wept tears of ecstasy for life renewed. It was my first, my only +dream; and from that time I feel an eternal and unchanging faith in +the heaven of the Night, and in its light, the Loved One. + + + +IV. + + + +Now do I know when the last morn will be; when the light shall no +more give alarm to the night and to love; when the slumber shall be +without end, and there shall be but one exhaustless dream. Heavenly +weariness do I feel within me. Long and wearisome had become the +pilgrimage to the holy grave--the cross a burthen. He who hath +tasted of the crystal wave that gushes forth, unknown to common eye, +in the dark bosom of that hill, against whose foot the flood of +earthly waves is dashed and broken; he who hath stood upon the +summit of the world's mountain bounds, and hath looked beyond them +down into that new land, into the abode of Night; he, well I ween, +turns not back into the turmoil of the world--into the land where +the light, and eternal unrest, dwells. + +There, above, does he erect his huts--his huts of peace; there longs +and loves, until comes the most welcome of all hours to draw him +down into that fountain's source. Upon the surface floats all that +is earthly--it is hurried back by storms; but that which was +hallowed by the breath of love, freely streams it forth, through +hidden paths, into that realm beyond the mountain chain, and there, +exhaled as incense, becomes mixed with loves that have slept. +Still, cheerful light, dost thou waken the weary to his toil, still +pourest thou glad life into my breast; but from the mossy monument +that memory has raised, thence canst thou not allure me. Willingly +will I employ my hands in industry and toil; I will look around me +at thy bidding; I will celebrate the full glory of thy splendour; +trace out, untired, the beauteous consistency of thy wondrous work; +willingly will I mark the marvellous course of thy mighty, glowing +timepiece; observe the balance of gigantic powers, and the laws of +the wondrous play of countless spaces and their periods. But true +to the Night remains my heart of hearts, and to creative Love, her +daughter. Canst thou show me a heart for ever faithful? Hath thy +sun fond eyes that know me? Do thy stars clasp my proffered hand? +Do they return the tender pressure, the caressing word? Hast thou +clothed her with fair hues and pleasing outline? Or was it she who +gave thine ornament a higher, dearer meaning? What pleasure, what +enjoyment, can thy life afford, that shall overweigh the ecstasies +of death? Bears not everything that inspires us the colours of the +Night? Thee she cherishes with a mother's care; to her thou owest +all thy majesty. Thou hadst melted in thyself, hadst been dissolved +in endless space, had she not restrained and encircled thee, so that +thou wert warm, and gavest life to the world. Verily I was, before +thou wert: the mother sent me with my sisters to inhabit thy world, +to hallow it with love, so that it might be gazed on as a memorial +for ever, to plant it with unfading flowers. As yet they have borne +no fruit, these godlike thoughts; but few as yet are the traces of +our revelation. The day shall come when thy timepiece pointeth to +the end of time, when thou shalt be even as one of us; and, filled +with longing and ardent love, be blotted out and die. Within my +soul I feel the end of thy distracted power, heavenly freedom, +hailed return. In wild sorrow I recognise thy distance from our +home, thy hostility towards the ancient glorious heaven. In vain +are thy tumult and thy rage. Indestructible remains the cross--a +victorious banner of our race. + + +"I wander over, + And every tear +To gem our pleasure + Will then appear. +A few more hours, + And I find my rest +In maddening bliss, + On the loved one's breast. +Life, never ending, + Swells mighty in me; +I look from above down - + Look back upon thee. +By yonder hillock + Expires thy beam; +And comes with a shadow, + The cooling gleam. +Oh, call me, thou loved one, + With strength from above; +That I may slumber, + And wake to love. +I welcome death's + Reviving flood; +To balm and to ether + It changes my blood. +I live through each day, + Filled with faith and desire; +And die when the Night comes + In heaven-born fire." + + + +V. + + + +Over the widely-spreading races of mankind, ruled aforetime an iron +Destiny with silent power. A dark and heavy band was around man's +anxious soul; without end was the earth; the home of the gods and +their abode. Throughout eternities had her mysterious structure +stood. Beyond the red mountains of the morning, in the holy bosom +of the sea, there dwelt the Sun, the all-inflaming, living light. A +hoary giant bare the sacred world. Securely prisoned, beneath +mountains, lay the first sons of the mother Earth, powerless in +their destructive fury against the new and glorious race of the +gods, and their kindred, joyous men. The dark, green ocean's depth +was the bosom of a goddess. In the crystal grottoes rioted a +voluptuous tribe. Rivers, trees, flowers, and brute beasts had +human understanding. Sweeter was the wine poured forth by youth's +soft bloom; a god in the vine's clusters; a loving, a maternal +goddess, shooting forth among the full, golden sheaves; love's holy +flame, a delicious service to the most beauteous of the goddesses. +An ever gay and joyous festival of heaven's children and the +dwellers upon earth, life rustled on as a spring, through centuries. +All races venerated, like children, the tender, thousand-fold flame, +as the highest of the world; one thought only was there, one hideous +vision of a dream:- + + +"That fearful to the joyous tables came, + And the gay soul in wild distraction shrouded. +Here could the gods themselves no counsel frame, + That might console the breast with sorrow clouded. +This monster's path mysterious, still the same, + Unstilled his rage, though prayers on gifts were crowded. +His name was Death, who with distress of soul, +Anguish and tears, on the hour of pleasure stole. + +For ever now from everything departed + That here can swell the heart with sweet delight, +Torn now from the beloved one, who, sad-hearted, + On earth could but desire and grief excite, +A feeble dream seemed to the dead imparted, + Powerless striving made man's only right; +And broken was enjoyment's heaving billow, +Upon the rock of endless care, its pillow. + +With daring mind, as heavenly fancy glows, + Man masks the fearful shape with fair resembling: +His torch put out, a mild youth doth repose; + Soft is the end as the lyre's mournful trembling. +Remembrance fades i' the gloom a shadow throws: + So sang the song, a dreadful doom dissembling. +Yet undefined remained eternal Night, +The stern reminder of some distant might." + + +At length the old world bowed its head. The gay gardens of the +young race were withered; beyond into the freer, desert space +aspired less childish and maturing man. The gods then vanished with +their train. Lonely and lifeless, Nature stood. The scanty number +and the rigid measure bound her with fetters of iron. As into dust +and air melted the inconceivable blossoms of life into mysterious +words. Fled was the magic faith, and phantasy the all-changing, +all-uniting friend from heaven. Over the rigid earth, unfriendly, +blew a cold north wind, and the wonder-home, now without life, was +lost in ether; the recesses of the heavens were filled with beaming +worlds. Into a holier sphere, into the mind's far higher space, did +the world draw the soul with its powers, there to wander until the +break of the world's dawning glory. No longer was the light the +gods' abode, their token in the heavens: the veil of the night did +they cast over them. The night was the mighty bosom of revelations; +in it the gods returned, and slumbered there, to go forth in new and +in more glorious forms over the altered world. + +Among the people above all despised, too soon matured, and wilful +strangers to the blessed innocence of youth; among them, with +features hitherto unseen, the new world came, in the poet's hut of +poverty, a son of the first virgin mother, endless fruit of a +mysterious embrace. The boding, budding wisdom of the East first +recognised another Time's beginning; to the humble cradle of the +monarch their star declared the way. In the name of the distant +future, with splendour and with incense, did they make offering to +him, the highest wonder of the world. In solitude did the heavenly +heart unfold to a flowery chalice of almighty love, bent towards the +holy countenance of the father, and resting on the happily-expectant +bosom of the lovely pensive mother. With divine ardour did the +prophetic eye of the blooming child look forth into the days of the +future, towards his beloved, the offspring of the race of God, +careless for his day's earthly destiny. The most child-like +spirits, wondrously seized with a deep, heart-felt love, collected +soon around him; as flowers, a new and unknown life budded forth +upon his path. Words inexhaustible, the gladdest tidings fell, as +sparks from a heavenly spirit, from his friendly lips. From a +distant coast, born under Hellas' cheerful sky, a minstrel came to +Palestine, and yielded his whole heart to the wondrous child:- + + +"The youth art thou, who for uncounted time, + Upon our graves hast stood with hidden meaning; +In hours of darkness a consoling sign, + Of higher manhood's joyous, hailed beginning; +That which hath made our soul so long to pine, + Now draws us hence, sweet aspirations winning. +In Death, eternal Life hath been revealed: +And thou art Death, by thee we first are healed." + + +The minstrel wandered, full of joy, towards Hindostan, the heart +elated with the sweetest love, which, beneath yonder heavens, he +poured forth in fiery songs, so that a thousand hearts inclined +towards him, and with a thousand branches grew towards heaven the +joyous tidings. Soon after the minstrel's departure, the precious +life became a sacrifice to the deep guilt of man: he died in +youthful years, torn from the world he loved, from the weeping +mother and lamenting friends. His mouth of love emptied the dark +cup of inexpressible affliction. In fearful anguish approached the +hour of the new world's birth. Deeply was he touched with the old +world's fearful death--the weight of the old world fell heavily upon +him. Once more he gazed placidly upon the mother, then came the +loosening hand of eternal love, and he slumbered. Few days only +hung a deep veil over the swelling sea, over the quaking land; the +beloved ones wept countless tears; the mystery was unsealed: the +ancient stone heavenly spirits raised from the dark grave. Angels +sat beside the slumberer, tenderly formed out of his dreams. +Awakened in the new glory of a god, he ascended the height of the +new-born world; and with his own hand buried within the deserted +sepulchre the old one's corpse, and with almighty hand placed over +it the stone no power can raise. + +Yet do thy dear ones weep rich tears of joy, tears of emotion, and +of eternal gratitude beside thy grave; even yet, with glad alarm, do +they behold thee rise, themselves with thee; behold thee weeping, +with sweet feeling, on the happy bosom of thy mother, solemnly +walking with thy friends, speaking words as if broken from the tree +of life; see thee hasten, full of longing, to thy Father's arms, +bringing the young race of man, and the cup of a golden future, +which shall never be exhausted. The mother soon followed thee in +heavenly triumph; she was the first to join thee in the new home. +Long ages have flown by since then, and ever in yet higher glory +hath thy new creation grown, and thousands from out of pain and +misery have, full of faith and longing, followed thee; roam with +thee and the heavenly virgin in the realm of love, serve in the +temple of heavenly Death, and are in eternity thine. + + +"Lifted is the stone, + Manhood hath arisen: +Still are we thine own, + Unharmed by bond or prison. +When earth--life--fade away + In the last meal's solemn gladness, +Around thy cup dare stray + No trace of grief or sadness. + +To the marriage, Death doth call, + The brilliant lamps are lighted; +The virgins come, invited, + And oil is with them all. +Space now to space is telling + How forth thy train hath gone, +The voice of stars is swelling + With human tongue and tone! + +To thee, Maria, hallowed, + A thousand hearts are sent; +In this dark life and shadowed, + On thee their thoughts are bent: +The soul's releasement seeing + They, longing, seek its rest; +By thee pressed, holy being, + Upon thy faithful breast. + +How many who, once glowing, + Earth's bitterness have learned, +Their souls with grief o'erflowing, + To thee have sadly turned; +Thou pitying hast appeared, + In many an hour of pain; +We come to thee now, wearied, + There ever to remain. + +By no cold grave now weepeth + A faithful love, forlorn; +Each still love's sweet rights keepeth, + From none will they be torn. +To soften his sad longing + Her fires doth Night impart; +From heaven cherubs thronging, + Hold watch upon his heart. + +Content, our life advancing + To a life that shall abide, +Each flame its worth enhancing, + The soul is glorified. +The starry host shall sink then + To bright and living wine, +The golden draught we drink then, + And stars ourselves shall shine. + +Love released, lives woundless, + No separation more; +While life swells free and boundless + As a sea without a shore. +One night of glad elation, + One joy that cannot die, +And the sun of all creation + Is the face of the Most High." + + + +VI--LONGING FOR DEATH. + + + +Below, within the earth's dark breast, + From realms of light departing, +There sorrow's pang and sigh oppressed + Is signal of our starting. +In narrow boat we ferry o'er +Speedily to heaven's shore. + +To us be hallowed endless Night, + Hallowed eternal slumber! +The day hath withered us with light, + And troubles beyond number. +No more 'mong strangers would we roam; +We seek our Father, and our home. + +Upon this world, what do we here, + As faithful, fond, and true men? +The Old but meets with scorn and sneer:- + What care we for the New, then? +Oh, lone is he, and sadly pines, +Who loves with zeal the olden times! + +Those old times when the spirits light + To heaven as flame ascended; +The Father's hand and features bright + When men yet comprehended; +When many a mortal, lofty-souled, +Yet bore the mark of heavenly mould. + +Those olden times when budded still + The stems of ancient story, +And children, to do Heaven's will, + In pain and death sought glory; +Those times when life and pleasure spoke, +Yet many a heart with fond love broke. + +Those old times when in fires of youth + Was God himself revealed, +And early death, in love and truth, + His sweet existence sealed, +Who put not from him care and pain, +That dear to us he might remain. + +With trembling longing these we see, + By darkness now belated, +In Time's dominions ne'er will be + Our ardent thirsting sated. +First to our home 'tis need we go, +Seek we these holy times to know. + +And our return what still can stay? + Long have the best-loved slumbered; +Their grave bounds for us life's drear way, + Our souls with grief are cumbered. +All that we have to seek is gone, +The heart is full--the world is lone. + +Unending, with mysterious flame, + O'er us sweet awe is creeping; +Methought from viewless distance came + An echo to our weeping; +The loved ones long for us on high, +And sent us back their pining sigh. + +Below, to seek the tender bride, + To Jesus, whom we cherish! +Good cheer! lo, greys the even-tide, - + Love's agonies shall perish. - +A dream--our fetters melt, at rest +We sink upon the Father's breast. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, PETER SCHLEMIHL ETC. *** + +This file should be named ptsc10.txt or ptsc10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, ptsc11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, ptsc10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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An account of the book and +its author is here reprinted at the end of the tale, as originally given +by the translator. To this account one or two notes may be added. +Louis Charles Adelaide de Chamisso de Boncourt was born on the 27th +of January, 1781, at the Château of Boncourt, in Champagne, which +he made the subject of one of his most beautiful lyrics. He belonged +to a family faithful to Louis XVI., that fled to Würzburg from +the fury of the French Revolution. Thus he was taken to Germany +a child of nine, and was left there when the family, with other emigrants, +returned to France in 1801. At fifteen he had Teutonised his name +to Adelbert von Chamisso, and was appointed page to the Queen of Prussia. +In the war that came afterwards, for a very short time he bore arms +against the French, but being one of a garrison taken in the captured +fort of Hamlin, he and his comrades had to pledge their honour that +they would not again bear arms against France during that war. +After the war he visited France. His parents then were dead, and +though he stayed in France some years, he wrote from France to a friend, +“I am German heart and soul, and cannot feel at home here.” +He wandered irresolutely, then became Professor of Literature in a gymnasium +in La Vendée. Still he was restless. In 1812 he set +off for a walk in Switzerland, returned to Germany, and took to the +study of anatomy. In 1813, Napoleon’s expedition to Russia +and the peril to France from legions marching upon Paris caused to Chamisso +suffering and confusion of mind.<br> +<br> +It is often said that his sense of isolation between interests of the +land of his forefathers and the land of his adoption makes itself felt +through all the wild playfulness of “Peter Schlemihl,” which +was at this time written, when Chamisso’s age was about thirty-two. +A letter of his to the Councillor Trinius, in Petersburg, tells how +he came to write it. He had lost on a pedestrian tour his hat, +his knapsack, his gloves, and his pocket handkerchief - the chief movables +about him. His friend Fouqué asked him whether he hadn’t +also lost his shadow? The friends pleased their fancies in imagining +what would have happened to him if he had. Not long afterwards +he was reading in La Fontaine of a polite man who drew out of his pocket +whatever was asked for. Chamisso thought, He will be bringing +out next a coach and horses. Out of these hints came the fancy +of “Peter Schlemihl, the Shadowless Man.” In all thought +that goes with invention of a poet, there are depths as well as shallows, +and the reader may get now and then a peep into the depths. He +may find, if he will, in a man’s shadow that outward expression +of himself which shows that he has been touched, like others, by the +light of heaven. But essentially the story is a poet’s whim. +Later writings of Chamisso proved him to be one of the best lyric poets +of the romance school of his time, entirely German in his tone of thought. +His best poem, “Salas y Gomez,” describes the feeling of +a solitary on a sea-girt rock, living on eggs of the numberless sea-birds +until old age, when a ship is in sight, and passes him, and his last +agony of despair is followed by a triumph in the strength of God.<br> +<br> +<br> +“Alone and world-forsaken let me die;<br> + Thy Grace is all my wealth, for all my loss:<br> +On my bleached bones out of the southern sky<br> + Thy Love will look down from the starry cross.”<br> +<br> +<br> +The “Story Without an End” - a story of the endless beauty +of Creation - is from a writer who has no name on the rolls of fame. +The little piece has been made famous among us by the good will of Sarah +Austin. The child who enjoyed it, and for whom she made the delicate +translation which here follows next after Chamisso’s “Peter +Schlemihl,” was that only daughter who became Lady Duff-Gordon, +and with whom we have made acquaintance in this Library as the translator +of “The Amber Witch.”<br> +<br> +To make up the tale of pages in this little book without breaking its +uniformity, I have added a translation of the “Hymns to Night” +of Novalis. It is a translation made by myself seven-and-forty +years ago, and printed in a student’s magazine that I then edited. +“Novalis” was the name assumed by a poet, Friedrich von +Hardenberg, who died on the 25th March, 1801, aged twenty-nine. +He was bred among the Moravian brethren, and then sent to the University +of Jena. Two years after his marriage to a young wife, Sophie +von Kühn, she died. That was in 1797. At the same time +he lost a brother who was very dear to him. It was then - four +years before his own death - that he wrote his “Hymns to Night.”<br> +<br> +H. M.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +PETER SCHLEMIHL, THE SHADOWLESS MAN.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE FROM<br> +A. VON CHAMISSO TO JULIUS EDWARD HITZIG.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +You, who forget nobody, must surely remember one Peter Schlemihl, whom +you used to meet occasionally at my house - a long-legged youth, who +was considered stupid and lazy, on account of his awkward and careless +air. I was sincerely attached to him. You cannot have forgotten +him, Edward. He was on one occasion the hero of our rhymes, in +the hey-day of our youthful spirits; and I recollect taking him one +evening to a poetical tea-party, where he fell asleep while I was writing, +without even waiting to hear my effusion: and this reminds me of a witticism +of yours respecting him. You had already seen him, I know not +where or when, in an old black frock-coat, which, indeed, he constantly +wore; and you said, “He would be a lucky fellow if his soul were +half as immortal as his coat,” so little opinion had you of him. +<i>I</i> loved him, however: and to this very Schlemihl, of whom for +many years I had wholly lost sight, I am indebted for the little volume +which I communicate to you, Edward, my most intimate friend, my second +self, from whom I have no secrets; - to you, and of course our Fouqué, +I commit them, who like you is intimately entwined about my dearest +affections, - to him I communicate them only as a friend, but not as +a poet; for you can easily imagine how unpleasant it would be if a secret +confided to me by an honest man, relying implicitly on my friendship +and honour, were to be exposed to the public in a poem.<br> +<br> +One word more as to the manner in which I obtained these sheets: yesterday +morning early, as soon as I was up, they were brought to me. An +extraordinary-looking man, with a long grey beard, and wearing an old +black frock-coat with a botanical case hanging at his side, and slippers +over his boots, in the damp, rainy weather, had just been inquiring +for me, and left me these papers, saying he came from Berlin.<br> +<br> +ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER I.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +After a prosperous, but to me very wearisome, voyage, we came at last +into port. Immediately on landing I got together my few effects; +and, squeezing myself through the crowd, went into the nearest and humblest +inn which first met my gaze. On asking for a room the waiter looked +at me from head to foot, and conducted me to one. I asked for +some cold water, and for the correct address of Mr. Thomas John, which +was described as being “by the north gate, the first country-house +to the right, a large new house of red and white marble, with many pillars.” +This was enough. As the day was not yet far advanced, I untied +my bundle, took out my newly-turned black coat, dressed myself in my +best clothes, and, with my letter of recommendation, set out for the +man who was to assist me in the attainment of my moderate wishes.<br> +<br> +After proceeding up the north street, I reached the gate, and saw the +marble columns glittering through the trees. Having wiped the +dust from my shoes with my pocket-handkerchief and readjusted my cravat, +I rang the bell - offering up at the same time a silent prayer. +The door flew open, and the porter sent in my name. I had soon +the honour to be invited into the park, where Mr. John was walking with +a few friends. I recognised him at once by his corpulency and +self-complacent air. He received me very well - just as a rich +man receives a poor devil; and turning to me, took my letter. +“Oh, from my brother! it is a long time since I heard from him: +is he well? - Yonder,” he went on, - turning to the company, and +pointing to a distant hill - “Yonder is the site of the new building.” +He broke the seal without discontinuing the conversation, which turned +upon riches. “The man,” he said, “who does not +possess at least a million is a poor wretch.” “Oh, +how true!” I exclaimed, in the fulness of my heart. He seemed +pleased at this, and replied with a smile, “Stop here, my dear +friend; afterwards I shall, perhaps, have time to tell you what I think +of this,” pointing to the letter, which he then put into his pocket, +and turned round to the company, offering his arm to a young lady: his +example was followed by the other gentlemen, each politely escorting +a lady; and the whole party proceeded towards a little hill thickly +planted with blooming roses.<br> +<br> +I followed without troubling any one, for none took the least further +notice of me. The party was in high spirits - lounging about and +jesting - speaking sometimes of trifling matters very seriously, and +of serious matters as triflingly - and exercising their wit in particular +to great advantage on their absent friends and their affairs. +I was too ignorant of what they were talking about to understand much +of it, and too anxious and absorbed in my own reflections to occupy +myself with the solution of such enigmas as their conversation presented.<br> +<br> +By this time we had reached the thicket of roses. The lovely Fanny, +who seemed to be the queen of the day, was obstinately bent on plucking +a rose-branch for herself, and in the attempt pricked her finger with +a thorn. The crimson stream, as if flowing from the dark-tinted +rose, tinged her fair hand with the purple current. This circumstance +set the whole company in commotion; and court-plaster was called for. +A quiet, elderly man, tall, and meagre-looking, who was one of the company, +but whom I had not before observed, immediately put his hand into the +tight breast-pocket of his old-fashioned coat of grey sarsnet, pulled +out a small letter-case, opened it, and, with a most respectful bow, +presented the lady with the wished-for article. She received it +without noticing the giver, or thanking him. The wound was bound +up, and the party proceeded along the hill towards the back part, from +which they enjoyed an extensive view across the green labyrinth of the +park to the wide-spreading ocean. The view was truly a magnificent +one. A slight speck was observed on the horizon, between the dark +flood and the azure sky. “A telescope!” called out +Mr. John; but before any of the servants could answer the summons the +grey man, with a modest bow, drew his hand from his pocket, and presented +a beautiful Dollond’s telescope to Mr. John, who, on looking through +it, informed the company that the speck in the distance was the ship +which had sailed yesterday, and which was detained within sight of the +haven by contrary winds. The telescope passed from hand to hand, +but was not returned to the owner, whom I gazed at with astonishment, +and could not conceive how so large an instrument could have proceeded +from so small a pocket. This, however, seemed to excite surprise +in no one; and the grey man appeared to create as little interest as +myself.<br> +<br> +Refreshments were now brought forward, consisting of the rarest fruits +from all parts of the world, served up in the most costly dishes. +Mr. John did the honours with unaffected grace, and addressed me for +the second time, saying, “You had better eat; you did not get +such things at sea.” I acknowledged his politeness with +a bow, which, however, he did not perceive, having turned round to speak +with some one else.<br> +<br> +The party would willingly have stopped some time here on the declivity +of the hill, to enjoy the extensive prospect before them, had they not +been apprehensive of the dampness of the grass. “How delightful +it would be,” exclaimed some one, “if we had a Turkey carpet +to lay down here!” The wish was scarcely expressed when +the man in the grey coat put his hand in his pocket, and, with a modest +and even humble air, pulled out a rich Turkey carpet, embroidered in +gold. The servant received it as a matter of course, and spread +it out on the desired spot; and, without any ceremony, the company seated +themselves on it. Confounded by what I saw, I gazed again at the +man, his pocket, and the carpet, which was more than twenty feet in +length and ten in breadth; and rubbed my eyes, not knowing what to think, +particularly as no one saw anything extraordinary in the matter.<br> +<br> +I would gladly have made some inquiries respecting the man, and asked +who he was, but knew not to whom I should address myself, for I felt +almost more afraid of the servants than of their master. At length +I took courage, and stepping up to a young man who seemed of less consequence +than the others, and who was more frequently standing by himself, I +begged of him, in a low tone, to tell me who the obliging gentleman +was in the grey cloak. “That man who looks like a piece +of thread just escaped from a tailor’s needle?” “Yes; +he who is standing alone yonder.” “I do not know,” +was the reply; and to avoid, as it seemed, any further conversation +with me, he turned away, and spoke of some common-place matters with +a neighbour.<br> +<br> +The sun’s rays now being stronger, the ladies complained of feeling +oppressed by the heat; and the lovely Fanny, turning carelessly to the +grey man, to whom I had not yet observed that any one had addressed +the most trifling question, asked him if, perhaps, he had not a tent +about him. He replied, with a low bow, as if some unmerited honour +had been conferred upon him; and, putting his hand in his pocket, drew +from it canvas, poles, cord, iron - in short, everything belonging to +the most splendid tent for a party of pleasure. The young gentlemen +assisted in pitching it: and it covered the whole carpet: but no one +seemed to think that there was anything extraordinary in it.<br> +<br> +I had long secretly felt uneasy - indeed, almost horrified; but how +was this feeling increased when, at the next wish expressed, I saw him +take from his pocket three horses! Yes, Adelbert, three large +beautiful steeds, with saddles and bridles, out of the very pocket whence +had already issued a letter-case, a telescope, a carpet twenty feet +broad and ten in length, and a pavilion of the same extent, with all +its appurtenances! Did I not assure thee that my own eyes had +seen all this, thou wouldst certainly disbelieve it.<br> +<br> +This man, although he appeared so humble and embarrassed in his air +and manners, and passed so unheeded, had inspired me with such a feeling +of horror by the unearthly paleness of his countenance, from which I +could not avert my eyes, that I was unable longer to endure it.<br> +<br> +I determined, therefore, to steal away from the company, which appeared +no difficult matter, from the undistinguished part I acted in it. +I resolved to return to the town, and pay another visit to Mr. John +the following morning, and, at the same time, make some inquiries of +him relative to the extraordinary man in grey, provided I could command +sufficient courage. Would to Heaven that such good fortune had +awaited me!<br> +<br> +I had stolen safely down the hill, through the thicket of roses, and +now found myself on an open plain; but fearing lest I should be met +out of the proper path, crossing the grass, I cast an inquisitive glance +around, and started as I beheld the man in the grey cloak advancing +towards me. He took off his hat, and made me a lower bow than +mortal had ever yet favoured me with. It was evident that he wished +to address me; and I could not avoid encountering him without seeming +rude. I returned his salutation, therefore, and stood bareheaded +in the sunshine as if rooted to the ground. I gazed at him with +the utmost horror, and felt like a bird fascinated by a serpent.<br> +<br> +He affected himself to have an air of embarrassment. With his +eyes on the ground, he bowed several times, drew nearer, and at last, +without looking up, addressed me in a low and hesitating voice, almost +in the tone of a suppliant: “Will you, sir, excuse my importunity +in venturing to intrude upon you in so unusual a manner? I have +a request to make - would you most graciously be pleased to allow me +- !” “Hold! for Heaven’s sake!” I exclaimed; +“what can I do for a man who” - I stopped in some confusion, +which he seemed to share. After a moment’s pause, he resumed: +“During the short time I have had the pleasure to be in your company, +I have - permit me, sir, to say - beheld with unspeakable admiration +your most beautiful shadow, and remarked the air of noble indifference +with which you, at the same time, turn from the glorious picture at +your feet, as if disdaining to vouchsafe a glance at it. Excuse +the boldness of my proposal; but perhaps you would have no objection +to sell me your shadow?” He stopped, while my head turned +round like a mill-wheel. What was I to think of so extraordinary +a proposal? To sell my shadow! “He must be mad,” +thought I; and assuming a tone more in character with the submissiveness +of his own, I replied, “My good friend, are you not content with +your own shadow? This would be a bargain of a strange nature indeed!”<br> +<br> +“I have in my pocket,” he said, “many things which +may possess some value in your eyes: for that inestimable shadow I should +deem the highest price too little.”<br> +<br> +A cold shuddering came over me as I recollected the pocket; and I could +not conceive what had induced me to style him “<i>good friend</i>,” +which I took care not to repeat, endeavouring to make up for it by a +studied politeness.<br> +<br> +I now resumed the conversation: - “But, Sir - excuse your humble +servant - I am at a loss to comprehend your meaning, - my shadow? - +how can I?”<br> +<br> +“Permit me,” he exclaimed, interrupting me, “to gather +up the noble image as it lies on the ground, and to take it into my +possession. As to the manner of accomplishing it, leave that to +me. In return, and as an evidence of my gratitude, I shall leave +you to choose among all the treasures I have in my pocket, among which +are a variety of enchanting articles, not exactly adapted for you, who, +I am sure, would like better to have the wishing-cap of Fortunatus, +all made new and sound again, and a lucky purse which also belonged +to him.”<br> +<br> +“Fortunatus’s purse!” cried I; and, great as was my +mental anguish, with that one word he had penetrated the deepest recesses +of my soul. A feeling of giddiness came over me, and double ducats +glittered before my eyes.<br> +<br> +“Be pleased, gracious sir, to examine this purse, and make a trial +of its contents.” He put his hand in his pocket, and drew +forth a large strongly stitched bag of stout Cordovan leather, with +a couple of strings to match, and presented it to me. I seized +it - took out ten gold pieces, then ten more, and this I repeated again +and again. Instantly I held out my hand to him. “Done,” +said I; “the bargain is made: my shadow for the purse.” +“Agreed,” he answered; and, immediately kneeling down, I +beheld him, with extraordinary dexterity, gently loosen my shadow from +the grass, lift it up, fold it together, and, at last put it in his +pocket. He then rose, bowed once more to me, and directed his +steps towards the rose bushes. I fancied I heard him quietly laughing +to himself. However, I held the purse fast by the two strings. +The earth was basking beneath the brightness of the sun; but I presently +lost all consciousness.<br> +<br> +On recovering my senses, I hastened to quit a place where I hoped there +was nothing further to detain me. I first filled my pockets with +gold, then fastened the strings of the purse round my neck, and concealed +it in my bosom. I passed unnoticed out of the park, gained the +high road, and took the way to the town. As I was thoughtfully +approaching the gate, I heard some one behind me exclaiming, “Young +man! young man! you have lost your shadow!” I turned, and +perceived an old woman calling after me. “Thank you, my +good woman,” said I; and throwing her a piece of gold for her +well-intended information, I stepped under the trees. At the gate, +again, it was my fate to hear the sentry inquiring where the gentleman +had left his shadow; and immediately I heard a couple of women exclaiming, +“Jesu Maria! the poor man has no shadow.” All this +began to depress me, and I carefully avoided walking in the sun; but +this could not everywhere be the case: for in the next broad street +I had to cross, and, unfortunately for me, at the very hour in which +the boys were coming out of school, a humpbacked lout of a fellow - +I see him yet - soon made the discovery that I was without a shadow, +and communicated the news, with loud outcries, to a knot of young urchins. +The whole swarm proceeded immediately to reconnoitre me, and to pelt +me with mud. “People,” cried they, “are generally +accustomed to take their shadows with them when they walk in the sunshine.”<br> +<br> +In order to drive them away I threw gold by handfuls among them, and +sprang into a hackney-coach which some compassionate spectators sent +to my rescue.<br> +<br> +As soon as I found myself alone in the rolling vehicle I began to weep +bitterly. I had by this time a misgiving that, in the same degree +in which gold in this world prevails over merit and virtue, by so much +one’s shadow excels gold; and now that I had sacrificed my conscience +for riches, and given my shadow in exchange for mere gold, what on earth +would become of me?<br> +<br> +As the coach stopped at the door of my late inn, I felt much perplexed, +and not at all disposed to enter so wretched an abode. I called +for my things, and received them with an air of contempt, threw down +a few gold pieces, and desired to be conducted to a first-rate hotel. +This house had a northern aspect, so that I had nothing to fear from +the sun. I dismissed the coachman with gold; asked to be conducted +to the best apartment, and locked myself up in it as soon as possible.<br> +<br> +Imagine, my friend, what I then set about? O my dear Chamisso! +even to thee I blush to mention what follows.<br> +<br> +I drew the ill-fated purse from my bosom; and, in a sort of frenzy that +raged like a self-fed fire within me, I took out gold - gold - gold +- more and more, till I strewed it on the floor, trampled upon it, and +feasting on its very sound and brilliancy, added coins to coins, rolling +and revelling on the gorgeous bed, until I sank exhausted.<br> +<br> +Thus passed away that day and evening; and as my door remained locked, +night found me still lying on the gold, where, at last, sleep overpowered +me.<br> +<br> +Then I dreamed of thee, and fancied I stood behind the glass door of +thy little room, and saw thee seated at thy table between a skeleton +and a bunch of dried plants; before thee lay open the works of Haller, +Humboldt, and Linnæus; on thy sofa a volume of Goethe, and the +Enchanted Ring. I stood a long time contemplating thee, and everything +in thy apartment; and again turning my gaze upon thee, I perceived that +thou wast motionless - thou didst not breathe - thou wast dead.<br> +<br> +I awoke - it seemed yet early - my watch had stopped. I felt thirsty, +faint, and worn out; for since the preceding morning I had not tasted +food. I now cast from me, with loathing and disgust, the very +gold with which but a short time before I had satiated my foolish heart. +Now I knew not where to put it - I dared not leave it lying there. +I examined my purse to see if it would hold it, - impossible! +Neither of my windows opened on the sea. I had no other resource +but, with toil and great fatigue, to drag it to a huge chest which stood +in a closet in my room; where I placed it all, with the exception of +a handful or two. Then I threw myself, exhausted, into an arm-chair, +till the people of the house should be up and stirring. As soon +as possible I sent for some refreshment, and desired to see the landlord.<br> +<br> +I entered into some conversation with this man respecting the arrangement +of my future establishment. He recommended for my personal attendant +one Bendel, whose honest and intelligent countenance immediately prepossessed +me in his favour. It is this individual whose persevering attachment +has consoled me in all the miseries of my life, and enabled me to bear +up under my wretched lot. I was occupied the whole day in my room +with servants in want of a situation, and tradesmen of every description. +I decided on my future plans, and purchased various articles of vertu +and splendid jewels, in order to get rid of some of my gold; but nothing +seemed to diminish the inexhaustible heap.<br> +<br> +I now reflected on my situation with the utmost uneasiness. I +dared not take a single step beyond my own door; and in the evening +I had forty wax tapers lighted before I ventured to leave the shade. +I reflected with horror on the frightful encounter with the school-boys; +yet I resolved, if I could command sufficient courage, to put the public +opinion to a second trial. The nights were now moonlight. +Late in the evening I wrapped myself in a large cloak, pulled my hat +over my eyes, and, trembling like a criminal, stole out of the house.<br> +<br> +I did not venture to leave the friendly shadow of the houses until I +had reached a distant part of the town; and then I emerged into the +broad moonlight, fully prepared to hear my fate from the lips of the +passers-by.<br> +<br> +Spare me, my beloved friend, the painful recital of all that I was doomed +to endure. The women often expressed the deepest sympathy for +me - a sympathy not less piercing to my soul than the scoffs of the +young people, and the proud contempt of the men, particularly of the +more corpulent, who threw an ample shadow before them. A fair +and beauteous maiden, apparently accompanied by her parents, who gravely +kept looking straight before them, chanced to cast a beaming glance +on me; but was evidently startled at perceiving that I was without a +shadow, and hiding her lovely face in her veil, and holding down her +head, passed silently on.<br> +<br> +This was past all endurance. Tears streamed from my eyes; and +with a heart pierced through and through, I once more took refuge in +the shade. I leant on the houses for support, and reached home +at a late hour, worn out with fatigue.<br> +<br> +I passed a sleepless night. My first care the following morning +was, to devise some means of discovering the man in the grey cloak. +Perhaps I may succeed in finding him; and how fortunate it were if he +should be as ill satisfied with his bargain as I am with mine!<br> +<br> +I desired Bendel to be sent for, who seemed to possess some tact and +ability. I minutely described to him the individual who possessed +a treasure without which life itself was rendered a burden to me. +I mentioned the time and place at which I had seen him, named all the +persons who were present, and concluded with the following directions: +- He was to inquire for a Dollond’s telescope, a Turkey carpet +interwoven with gold, a marquee, and, finally, for some black steeds +- the history, without entering into particulars, of all these being +singularly connected with the mysterious character who seemed to pass +unnoticed by every one, but whose appearance had destroyed the peace +and happiness of my life.<br> +<br> +As I spoke I produced as much gold as I could hold in my two hands, +and added jewels and precious stones of still greater value. “Bendel,” +said I, “this smooths many a path, and renders that easy which +seems almost impossible. Be not sparing of it, for I am not so; +but go, and rejoice thy master with intelligence on which depend all +his hopes.”<br> +<br> +He departed, and returned late and melancholy.<br> +<br> +None of Mr. John’s servants, none of his guests (and Bendel had +spoken to them all) had the slightest recollection of the man in the +grey cloak.<br> +<br> +The new telescope was still there, but no one knew how it had come; +and the tent and Turkey carpet were still stretched out on the hill. +The servants boasted of their master’s wealth; but no one seemed +to know by what means he had become possessed of these newly acquired +luxuries. He was gratified; and it gave him no concern to be ignorant +how they had come to him. The black coursers which had been mounted +on that day were in the stables of the young gentlemen of the party, +who admired them as the munificent present of Mr. John.<br> +<br> +Such was the information I gained from Bendel’s detailed account; +but, in spite of this unsatisfactory result, his zeal and prudence deserved +and received my commendation. In a gloomy mood, I made him a sign +to withdraw.<br> +<br> +“I have, sir,” he continued, “laid before you all +the information in my power relative to the subject of the most importance +to you. I have now a message to deliver which I received early +this morning from a person at the gate, as I was proceeding to execute +the commission in which I have so unfortunately failed. The man’s +words were precisely these: ‘Tell your master, Peter Schlemihl, +he will not see me here again. I am going to cross the sea; a +favourable wind now calls all the passengers on board; but, in a year +and a day I shall have the honour of paying him a visit; when, in all +probability, I shall have a proposal to make to him of a very agreeable +nature. Commend me to him most respectfully, with many thanks.’ +I inquired his name; but he said you would remember him.”<br> +<br> +“What sort of person was he?” cried I, in great emotion; +and Bendel described the man in the grey coat feature by feature, word +for word; in short, the very individual in search of whom he had been +sent. “How unfortunate!” cried I bitterly; “it +was himself.” Scales, as it were, fell from Bendel’s +eyes. “Yes, it was he,” cried he, “undoubtedly +it was he; and fool, madman, that I was, I did not recognise him - I +did not, and have betrayed my master!” He then broke out +into a torrent of self-reproach; and his distress really excited my +compassion. I endeavoured to console him, repeatedly assuring +him that I entertained no doubt of his fidelity; and despatched him +immediately to the wharf, to discover, if possible, some trace of the +extraordinary being. But on that very morning many vessels which +had been detained in port by contrary winds had set sail, all bound +to different parts of the globe; and the grey man had disappeared like +a shadow.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER II.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +Of what use were wings to a man fast bound in chains of iron? +They would but increase the horror of his despair. Like the dragon +guarding his treasure, I remained cut off from all human intercourse, +and starving amidst my very gold, for it gave me no pleasure: I anathematised +it as the source of all my wretchedness.<br> +<br> +Sole depository of my fearful secret, I trembled before the meanest +of my attendants, whom, at the same time, I envied; for he possessed +a shadow, and could venture to go out in the daytime; while I shut myself +up in my room day and night, and indulged in all the bitterness of grief.<br> +<br> +One individual, however, was daily pining away before my eyes - my faithful +Bendel, who was the victim of silent self-reproach, tormenting himself +with the idea that he had betrayed the confidence reposed in him by +a good master, in failing to recognise the individual in quest of whom +he had been sent, and with whom he had been led to believe that my melancholy +fate was closely connected. Still, I had nothing to accuse him +with, as I recognised in the occurrence the mysterious character of +the unknown.<br> +<br> +In order to leave no means untried, I one day despatched Bendel with +a costly ring to the most celebrated artist in the town, desiring him +to wait upon me. He came; and, dismissing the attendants, I secured +the door, placing myself opposite to him, and, after extolling his art, +with a heavy heart came to the point, first enjoining the strictest +secrecy.<br> +<br> +“For a person,” said I, “who most unfortunately has +lost his shadow, could you paint a false one?”<br> +<br> +“Do you speak of the natural shadow?”<br> +<br> +“Precisely so.”<br> +<br> +“But,” he asked, “by what awkward negligence can a +man have lost his shadow?”<br> +<br> +“How it occurred,” I answered, “is of no consequence; +but it was in this manner” - (and here I uttered an unblushing +falsehood) - “he was travelling in Russia last winter, and one +bitterly cold day it froze so intensely, that his shadow remained so +fixed to the ground, that it was found impossible to remove it.”<br> +<br> +“The false shadow that I might paint,” said the artist, +“would be liable to be lost on the slightest movement, particularly +in a person who, from your account, cares so little about his shadow. +A person without a shadow should keep out of the sun, that is the only +safe and rational plan.”<br> +<br> +He rose and took his leave, casting so penetrating a look at me that +I shrunk from it. I sank back in my chair, and hid my face in +my hands.<br> +<br> +In this attitude Bendel found me, and was about to withdraw silently +and respectfully on seeing me in such a state of grief: looking up, +overwhelmed with my sorrows, I felt that I must communicate them to +him. “Bendel,” I exclaimed, “Bendel, thou the +only being who seest and respectest my grief too much to inquire into +its cause - thou who seemest silently and sincerely to sympathise with +me - come and share my confidence. The extent of my wealth I have +not withheld from thee, neither will I conceal from thee the extent +of my grief. Bendel! forsake me not. Bendel, you see me +rich, free, beneficent; you fancy all the world in my power; yet you +must have observed that I shun it, and avoid all human intercourse. +You think, Bendel, that the world and I are at variance; and you yourself, +perhaps, will abandon me, when I acquaint you with this fearful secret. +Bendel, I am rich, free, generous; but, O God, I have <i>no shadow</i>!”<br> +<br> +“No shadow!” exclaimed the faithful young man, tears starting +from his eyes. “Alas! that I am born to serve a master without +a shadow!” He was silent, and again I hid my face in my +hands.<br> +<br> +“Bendel,” at last I tremblingly resumed, “you have +now my confidence; you may betray me - go - bear witness against me!”<br> +<br> +He seemed to be agitated with conflicting feelings; at last he threw +himself at my feet and seized my hand, which he bathed with his tears. +“No,” he exclaimed; “whatever the world may say, I +neither can nor will forsake my excellent master because he has lost +his shadow. I will rather do what is right than what may seem +prudent. I will remain with you - I will shade you with my own +shadow - I will assist you when I can - and when I cannot, I will weep +with you.”<br> +<br> +I fell upon his neck, astonished at sentiments so unusual; for it was +very evident that he was not prompted by the love of money.<br> +<br> +My mode of life and my fate now became somewhat different. It +is incredible with what provident foresight Bendel contrived to conceal +my deficiency. Everywhere he was before me and with me, providing +against every contingency, and in cases of unlooked-for danger, flying +to shield me with his own shadow, for he was taller and stouter than +myself. Thus I once more ventured among mankind, and began to +take a part in worldly affairs. I was compelled, indeed, to affect +certain peculiarities and whims; but in a rich man they seem only appropriate; +and so long as the truth was kept concealed I enjoyed all the honour +and respect which gold could procure.<br> +<br> +I now looked forward with more composure to the promised visit of the +mysterious unknown at the expiration of the year and a day.<br> +<br> +I was very sensible that I could not venture to remain long in a place +where I had once been seen without a shadow, and where I might easily +be betrayed; and perhaps, too, I recollected my first introduction to +Mr. John, and this was by no means a pleasing reminiscence. However, +I wished just to make a trial here, that I might with greater ease and +security visit some other place. But my vanity for some time withheld +me, for it is in this quality of our race that the anchor takes the +firmest hold.<br> +<br> +Even the lovely Fanny, whom I again met in several places, without her +seeming to recollect that she had ever seen me before, bestowed some +notice on me; for wit and understanding were mine in abundance now. +When I spoke, I was listened to; and I was at a loss to know how I had +so easily acquired the art of commanding attention, and giving the tone +to the conversation.<br> +<br> +The impression which I perceived I had made upon this fair one completely +turned my brain; and this was just what she wished. After that, +I pursued her with infinite pains through every obstacle. My vanity +was only intent on exciting hers to make a conquest of me; but although +the intoxication disturbed my head, it failed to make the least impression +on my heart.<br> +<br> +But why detail to you the oft-repeated story which I have so often heard +from yourself?<br> +<br> +However, in the old and well-known drama in which I played so worn-out +a part a catastrophe occurred of quite a peculiar nature, in a manner +equally unexpected to her, to me, and to everybody.<br> +<br> +One beautiful evening I had, according to my usual custom, assembled +a party in a garden, and was walking arm-in-arm with Fanny at a little +distance from the rest of the company, and pouring into her ear the +usual well-turned phrases, while she was demurely gazing on vacancy, +and now and then gently returning the pressure of my hand. The +moon suddenly emerged from behind a cloud at our back. Fanny perceived +only her own shadow before us. She started, looked at me with +terror, and then again on the ground, in search of my shadow. +All that was passing in her mind was so strangely depicted in her countenance, +that I should have burst into a loud fit of laughter had I not suddenly +felt my blood run cold within me. I suffered her to fall from +my arm in a fainting-fit; shot with the rapidity of an arrow through +the astonished guests, reached the gate, threw myself into the first +conveyance I met with, and returned to the town, where this time, unfortunately, +I had left the wary Bendel. He was alarmed on seeing me: one word +explained all. Post-horses were immediately procured. I +took with me none of my servants, one cunning knave only excepted, called +Rascal, who had by his adroitness become very serviceable to me, and +who at present knew nothing of what had occurred - I travelled thirty +leagues that night; having left Bendel behind to discharge my servants, +pay my debts, and bring me all that was necessary.<br> +<br> +When he came up with me next day, I threw myself into his arms, vowing +to avoid such follies and to be more careful for the future.<br> +<br> +We pursued our journey uninterruptedly over the frontiers and mountains; +and it was not until I had placed this lofty barrier between myself +and the before-mentioned unlucky town that I was persuaded to recruit +myself after my fatigues in a neighbouring and little-frequented watering-place.<br> +<br> +<br> +I must now pass rapidly over one period of my history, on which how +gladly would I dwell, could I conjure up your lively powers of delineation! +But the vivid hues which are at your command, and which alone can give +life and animation to the picture, have left no trace within me; and +were I now to endeavour to recall the joys, the griefs, the pure and +enchanting emotions, which once held such powerful dominion in my breast, +it would be like striking a rock which yields no longer the living spring, +and whose spirit has fled for ever. With what an altered aspect +do those bygone days now present themselves to my gaze!<br> +<br> +In this watering-place I acted an heroic character, badly studied; and +being a novice on such a stage, I forgot my part before a pair of lovely +blue eyes.<br> +<br> +All possible means were used by the infatuated parents to conclude the +bargain; and deception put an end to these usual artifices. And +that is all - all.<br> +<br> +The powerful emotions which once swelled my bosom seem now in the retrospect +to be poor and insipid, nay, even terrible to me.<br> +<br> +Alas, Minna! as I wept for thee the day I lost thee, so do I now weep +that I can no longer retrace thine image in my soul.<br> +<br> +Am I, then, so far advanced into the vale of years? O fatal effects +of maturity! would that I could feel one throb, one emotion of former +days of enchantment - alas, not one! a solitary being, tossed on the +wild ocean of life - it is long since I drained thine enchanted cup +to the dregs!<br> +<br> +But to return to my narrative. I had sent Bendel to the little +town with plenty of money to procure me a suitable habitation. +He spent my gold profusely; and as he expressed himself rather reservedly +concerning his distinguished master (for I did not wish to be named), +the good people began to form rather extraordinary conjectures.<br> +<br> +As soon as my house was ready for my reception, Bendel returned to conduct +me to it. We set out on our journey. About a league from +the town, on a sunny plain, we were stopped by a crowd of people, arrayed +in holiday attire for some festival. The carriage stopped. +Music, bells, cannons, were heard; and loud acclamations rang through +the air.<br> +<br> +Before the carriage now appeared in white dresses a chorus of maidens, +all of extraordinary beauty; but one of them shone in resplendent loveliness, +and eclipsed the rest as the sun eclipses the stars of night. +She advanced from the midst of her companions, and, with a lofty yet +winning air, blushingly knelt before me, presenting on a silken cushion +a wreath, composed of laurel branches, the olive, and the rose, saying +something respecting majesty, love, honour, &c., which I could not +comprehend; but the sweet and silvery magic of her tones intoxicated +my senses and my whole soul: it seemed as if some heavenly apparition +were hovering over me. The chorus now began to sing the praises +of a good sovereign, and the happiness of his subjects. All this, +dear Chamisso, took place in the sun: she was kneeling two steps from +me, and I, without a shadow, could not dart through the air, nor fall +on my knees before the angelic being. Oh, what would I not now +have given for a shadow! To conceal my shame, agony, and despair, +I buried myself in the recesses of the carriage. Bendel at last +thought of an expedient; he jumped out of the carriage. I called +him back, and gave him out of the casket I had by me a rich diamond +coronet, which had been intended for the lovely Fanny.<br> +<br> +He stepped forward, and spoke in the name of his master, who, he said, +was overwhelmed by so many demonstrations of respect, which he really +could not accept as an honour - there must be some error; nevertheless +he begged to express his thanks for the goodwill of the worthy townspeople. +In the meantime Bendel had taken the wreath from the cushion, and laid +the brilliant crown in its place. He then respectfully raised +the lovely girl from the ground; and, at one sign, the clergy, magistrates, +and all the deputations withdrew. The crowd separated to allow +the horses to pass, and we pursued our way to the town at full gallop, +through arches ornamented with flowers and branches of laurel. +Salvos of artillery again were heard. The carriage stopped at +my gate; I hastened through the crowd which curiosity had attracted +to witness my arrival. Enthusiastic shouts resounded under my +windows, from whence I showered gold amidst the people; and in the evening +the whole town was illuminated. Still all remained a mystery to +me, and I could not imagine for whom I had been taken. I sent +Rascal out to make inquiry; and he soon obtained intelligence that the +good King of Prussia was travelling through the country under the name +of some count; that my <i>aide-de-camp </i>had been recognised, and +that he had divulged the secret; that on acquiring the certainty that +I would enter their town, their joy had known no bounds: however, as +they perceived I was determined on preserving the strictest <i>incognito, +</i>they felt how wrong they had been in too importunately seeking to +withdraw the veil; but I had received them so condescendingly and so +graciously, that they were sure I would forgive them. The whole +affair was such capital amusement to the unprincipled Rascal, that he +did his best to confirm the good people in their belief, while affecting +to reprove them. He gave me a very comical account of the matter; +and, seeing that I was amused by it, actually endeavoured to make a +merit of his impudence.<br> +<br> +Shall I own the truth? My vanity was flattered by having been +mistaken for our revered sovereign. I ordered a banquet to be +got ready for the following evening, under the trees before my house, +and invited the whole town. The mysterious power of my purse, +Bendel’s exertions, and Rascal’s ready invention, made the +shortness of the time seem as nothing.<br> +<br> +It was really astonishing how magnificently and beautifully everything +was arranged in these few hours. Splendour and abundance vied +with each other, and the lights were so carefully arranged that I felt +quite safe: the zeal of my servants met every exigency and merited all +praise.<br> +<br> +Evening drew on, the guests arrived, and were presented to me. +The word <i>majesty </i>was now dropped; but, with the deepest respect +and humility, I was addressed as the <i>count</i>. What could +I do? I accepted the title, and from that moment I was known as +Count Peter. In the midst of all this festivity my soul pined +for one individual. She came late - she who was the empress of +the scene, and wore the emblem of sovereignty on her brow.<br> +<br> +She modestly accompanied her parents, and seemed unconscious of her +transcendent beauty.<br> +<br> +The Ranger of the Forests, his wife, and daughter, were presented to +me. I was at no loss to make myself agreeable to the parents; +but before the daughter I stood like a well-scolded schoolboy, incapable +of speaking a single word.<br> +<br> +At length I hesitatingly entreated her to honour my banquet by presiding +at it - an office for which her rare endowments pointed her out as admirably +fitted. With a blush and an expressive glance she entreated to +be excused; but, in still greater confusion than herself, I respectfully +begged her to accept the homage of the first and most devoted of her +subjects, and one glance of the count was the same as a command to the +guests, who all vied with each other in acting up to the spirit of the +noble host.<br> +<br> +In her person majesty, innocence, and grace, in union with beauty, presided +over this joyous banquet. Minna’s happy parents were elated +by the honours conferred upon their child. As for me, I abandoned +myself to all the intoxication of delight: I sent for all the jewels, +pearls, and precious stones still left to me - the produce of my fatal +wealth - and, filling two vases, I placed them on the table, in the +name of the Queen of the banquet, to be divided among her companions +and the remainder of the ladies.<br> +<br> +I ordered gold in the meantime to be showered down without ceasing among +the happy multitude.<br> +<br> +Next morning Bendel told me in confidence that the suspicions he had +long entertained of Rascal’s honesty were now reduced to a certainty; +he had yesterday embezzled many bags of gold.<br> +<br> +“Never mind,” said I; “let him enjoy his paltry booty. +I<i> </i>like to spend it; why should not he? Yesterday he, and +all the newly-engaged servants whom you had hired, served me honourably, +and cheerfully assisted me to enjoy the banquet.”<br> +<br> +No more was said on the subject. Rascal remained at the head of +my domestics. Bendel was my friend and confidant; he had by this +time become accustomed to look upon my wealth as inexhaustible, without +seeking to inquire into its source. He entered into all my schemes, +and effectually assisted me in devising methods of spending my money.<br> +<br> +Of the pale, sneaking scoundrel - the unknown - Bendel only knew thus +much, that he alone had power to release me from the curse which weighed +so heavily on me, and yet that I stood in awe of him on whom all my +hopes rested. Besides, I felt convinced that he had the means +of discovering <i>me </i>under any circumstances, while he himself remained +concealed. I therefore abandoned my fruitless inquiries, and patiently +awaited the appointed day.<br> +<br> +The magnificence of my banquet, and my deportment on the occasion, had +but strengthened the credulous townspeople in their previous belief.<br> +<br> +It appeared soon after, from accounts in the newspapers, that the whole +history of the King of Prussia’s fictitious journey originated +in mere idle report. But a king I was, and a king I must remain +by all means; and one of the richest and most royal, although people +were at a loss to know where my territories lay.<br> +<br> +The world has never had reason to lament the scarcity of monarchs, particularly +in these days; and the good people, who had never yet seen a king, now +fancied me to be first one, and then another, with equal success; and +in the meanwhile I remained as before, Count Peter.<br> +<br> +Among the visitors at this watering-place a merchant made his appearance, +one who had become a bankrupt in order to enrich himself. He enjoyed +the general good opinion; for he projected a shadow of respectable size, +though of somewhat faint hue.<br> +<br> +This man wished to show off in this place by means of his wealth, and +sought to rival me. My purse soon enabled me to leave the poor +devil far behind. To save his credit he became bankrupt again, +and fled beyond the mountains; and thus I was rid of him. Many +a one in this place was reduced to beggary and ruin through my means.<br> +<br> +In the midst of the really princely magnificence and profusion, which +carried all before me, my own style of living was very simple and retired. +I had made it a point to observe the strictest precaution; and, with +the exception of Bendel, no one was permitted, on any pretence whatever, +to enter my private apartment. As long as the sun shone I remained +shut up with him; and the Count was then said to be deeply occupied +in his closet. The numerous couriers, whom I kept in constant +attendance about matters of no importance, were supposed to be the bearers +of my despatches. I only received company in the evening under +the trees of my garden, or in my saloons, after Bendel’s assurance +of their being carefully and brilliantly lit up.<br> +<br> +My walks, in which the Argus-eyed Bendel was constantly on the watch +for me, extended only to the garden of the forest-ranger, to enjoy the +society of one who was dear to me as my own existence.<br> +<br> +Oh, my Chamisso! I trust thou hast not forgotten what love is! +I must here leave much to thine imagination. Minna was in truth +an amiable and excellent maiden: her whole soul was wrapped up in me, +and in her lowly thoughts of herself she could not imagine how she had +deserved a single thought from me. She returned love for love +with all the full and youthful fervour of an innocent heart; her love +was a true woman’s love, with all the devotion and total absence +of selfishness which is found only in woman; she lived but in me, her +whole soul being bound up in mine, regardless what her own fate might +be.<br> +<br> +Yet I, alas, during those hours of wretchedness - hours I would even +now gladly recall - how often have I wept on Bendel’s bosom, when +after the first mad whirlwind of passion I reflected, with the keenest +self-upbraidings, that I, a shadowless man, had, with cruel selfishness, +practised a wicked deception, and stolen away the pure and angelic heart +of the innocent Minna!<br> +<br> +At one moment I resolved to confess all to her; then that I would fly +for ever; then I broke out into a flood of bitter tears, and consulted +Bendel as to the means of meeting her again in the forester’s +garden.<br> +<br> +At times I flattered myself with great hopes from the near approaching +visit of the unknown; then wept again, because I saw clearly on reflection +that they would end in disappointment. I had made a calculation +of the day fixed on by the fearful being for our interview; for he had +said in a year and a day, and I depended on his word.<br> +<br> +The parents were worthy old people, devoted to their only child; and +our mutual affection was a circumstance so overwhelming that they knew +not how to act. They had never dreamed for a moment that the <i>Count +</i>could bestow a thought on their daughter; but such was the case +- he loved and was beloved. The pride of the mother might not +have led her to consider such an alliance quite impossible, but so extravagant +an idea had never entered the contemplation of the sounder judgment +of the old man. Both were satisfied of the sincerity of my love, +and could but put up prayers to Heaven for the happiness of their child.<br> +<br> +A letter which I received from Minna about that time has just fallen +into my hands. Yes, these are the characters traced by her own +hand. I will transcribe the letter:-<br> +<br> +“I am indeed a weak, foolish girl to fancy that the friend I so +tenderly love could give an instant’s pain to his poor Minna! +Oh no! thou art so good, so inexpressibly good! But do not misunderstand +me. I will accept no sacrifice at thy hands - none whatever. +Oh heavens! I should hate myself! No; thou hast made me +happy, thou hast taught me to love thee.<br> +<br> +“Go, then - let me not forget my destiny - Count Peter belongs +not to me, but to the whole world; and oh! what pride for thy Minna +to hear thy deeds proclaimed, and blessings invoked on thy idolised +head! Ah! when I think of this, I could chide thee that thou shouldst +for one instant forget thy high destiny for the sake of a simple maiden! +Go, then; otherwise the reflection will pierce me. How blest I +have been rendered by thy love! Perhaps, also, I have planted +some flowers in the path of thy life, as I twined them in the wreath +which I presented to thee.<br> +<br> +“Go, then - fear not to leave me - you are too deeply seated in +my heart - I shall die inexpressibly happy in thy love.”<br> +<br> +Conceive how these words pierced my soul, Chamisso!<br> +<br> +I declared to her that I was not what I seemed - that, although a rich, +I was an unspeakably miserable man - that a curse was on me, which must +remain a secret, although the only one between us - yet that I was not +without a hope of its being removed - that this poisoned every hour +of my life - that I should plunge her with me into the abyss - she, +the light and joy, the very soul of my existence. Then she wept +because I was unhappy. Oh! Minna was all love and tenderness. +To save me one tear she would gladly have sacrificed her life.<br> +<br> +Yet she was far from comprehending the full meaning of my words. +She still looked upon me as some proscribed prince or illustrious exile; +and her vivid imagination had invested her lover with every lofty attribute.<br> +<br> +One day I said to her, “Minna, the last day in next month will +decide my fate, and perhaps change it for the better; if not, I would +sooner die than render you miserable.”<br> +<br> +She laid her head on my shoulder to conceal her tears. “Should +thy fate be changed,” she said, “I only wish to know that +thou art happy; if thy condition is an unhappy one, I will share it +with thee, and assist thee to support it.”<br> +<br> +“Minna, Minna!” I exclaimed, “recall those rash words +- those mad words which have escaped thy lips! Didst thou know +the misery and curse - didst thou know who - what - thy lover - Seest +thou not, my Minna, this convulsive shuddering which thrills my whole +frame, and that there is a secret in my breast which you cannot penetrate?” +She sank sobbing at my feet, and renewed her vows and entreaties.<br> +<br> +Her father now entered, and I declared to him my intention to solicit +the hand of his daughter on the first day of the month after the ensuing +one. I fixed that time, I told him, because circumstances might +probably occur in the interval materially to influence my future destiny; +but my love for his daughter was unchangeable.<br> +<br> +The good old man started at hearing such words from the mouth of Count +Peter. He fell upon my neck, and rose again in the utmost confusion +for having forgotten himself. Then he began to doubt, to ponder, +and to scrutinise; and spoke of dowry, security, and future provision +for his beloved child. I thanked him for having reminded me of +all this, and told him it was my wish to remain in a country where I +seemed to be beloved, and to lead a life free from anxiety. I +then commissioned him to purchase the finest estate in the neighbourhood +in the name of his daughter - for a father was the best person to act +for his daughter in such a case - and to refer for payment to me. +This occasioned him a good deal of trouble, as a stranger had everywhere +anticipated him; but at last he made a purchase for about £150,000.<br> +<br> +I confess this was but an innocent artifice to get rid of him, as I +had frequently done before; for it must be confessed that he was somewhat +tedious. The good mother was rather deaf, and not jealous, like +her husband, of the honour of conversing with the Count.<br> +<br> +The happy party pressed me to remain with them longer this evening. +I dared not - I had not a moment to lose. I saw the rising moon +streaking the horizon - my hour was come.<br> +<br> +Next evening I went again to the forester’s garden. I had +wrapped myself closely up in my cloak, slouched my hat over my eyes, +and advanced towards Minna. As she raised her head and looked +at me, she started involuntarily. The apparition of that dreadful +night in which I had been seen without a shadow was now standing distinctly +before me - it was she herself. Had she recognised me? She +was silent and thoughtful. I felt an oppressive load at my heart. +I rose from my seat. She laid her head on my shoulder, still silent +and in tears. I went away.<br> +<br> +I now found her frequently weeping. I became more and more melancholy. +Her parents were beyond expression happy. The eventful day approached, +threatening and heavy, like a thundercloud. The evening preceding +arrived. I could scarcely breathe. I had carefully filled +a large chest with gold, and sat down to await the appointed time - +the twelfth hour - it struck.<br> +<br> +Now I remained with my eyes fixed on the hand of the clock, counting +the seconds - the minutes - which struck me to the heart like daggers. +I started at every sound - at last daylight appeared. The leaden +hours passed on - morning - evening - night came. Hope was fast +fading away as the hand advanced. It struck eleven - no one appeared +- the last minutes - the first and last stroke of the twelfth hour died +away. I sank back in my bed in an agony of weeping. In the +morning I should, shadowless as I was, claim the hand of my beloved +Minna. A heavy sleep towards daylight closed my eyes.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER III.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +It was yet early, when I was suddenly awoke by voices in hot dispute +in my antechamber. I listened. Bendel was forbidding Rascal +to enter my room, who swore he would receive no orders from his equals, +and insisted on forcing his way. The faithful Bendel reminded +him that if such words reached his master’s ears, he would turn +him out of an excellent place. Rascal threatened to strike him +if he persisted in refusing his entrance.<br> +<br> +By this time, having half dressed myself, I angrily threw open the door, +and addressing myself to Rascal, inquired what he meant by such disgraceful +conduct. He drew back a couple of steps, and coolly answered, +“Count Peter, may I beg most respectfully that you will favour +me with a sight of your shadow? The sun is now shining brightly +in the court below.”<br> +<br> +I stood as if struck by a thunderbolt, and for some time was unable +to speak. At last, I asked him how a servant could dare to behave +so towards his master. He interrupted me by saying, quite coolly, +“A servant may be a very honourable man, and unwilling to serve +a shadowless master - I request my dismissal.”<br> +<br> +I felt that I must adopt a softer tone, and replied, “But, Rascal, +my good fellow, who can have put such strange ideas into your head? +How can you imagine - ”<br> +<br> +He again interrupted me in the same tone - “People say you have +no shadow. In short, let me see your shadow, or give me my dismissal.”<br> +<br> +Bendel, pale and trembling, but more collected than myself, made a sign +to me. I had recourse to the all-powerful influence of gold. +But even gold had lost its power - Rascal threw it at my feet: “From +a shadowless man,” he said, “I will take nothing.”<br> +<br> +Turning his back upon me, and putting on his hat, he then slowly left +the room, whistling a tune. I stood, with Bendel, as if petrified, +gazing after him.<br> +<br> +With a deep sigh and a heavy heart I now prepared to keep my engagement, +and to appear in the forester’s garden like a criminal before +his judge. I entered by the shady arbour, which had received the +name of Count Peter’s arbour, where we had appointed to meet. +The mother advanced with a cheerful air; Minna sat fair and beautiful +as the early snow of autumn reposing on the departing flowers, soon +to be dissolved and lost in the cold stream.<br> +<br> +The ranger, with a written paper in his hand, was walking up and down +in an agitated manner, and struggling to suppress his feelings - his +usually unmoved countenance being one moment flushed, and the next perfectly +pale. He came forward as I entered, and, in a faltering voice, +requested a private conversation with me. The path by which he +requested me to follow him led to an open spot in the garden, where +the sun was shining. I sat down. A long silence ensued, +which even the good woman herself did not venture to break. The +ranger, in an agitated manner, paced up and down with unequal steps. +At last he stood still; and glancing over the paper he held in his hand, +he said, addressing me with a penetrating look,<br> +<br> +“Count Peter, do you know one Peter Schlemihl?” I was silent.<br> +<br> +“A man,” he continued, “of excellent character and +extraordinary endowments.”<br> +<br> +He paused for an answer. - “And supposing I myself were that very +man?”<br> +<br> +“You!” he exclaimed, passionately; “he has lost his +shadow!”<br> +<br> +“Oh, my suspicion is true!” cried Minna; “I have long +known it - he has no shadow!” And she threw herself into +her mother’s arms, who, convulsively clasping her to her bosom, +reproached her for having so long, to her hurt, kept such a secret. +But, like the fabled Arethusa, her tears, as from a fountain, flowed +more abundantly, and her sobs increased at my approach.<br> +<br> +“And so,” said the ranger fiercely, “you have not +scrupled, with unparalleled shamelessness, to deceive both her and me; +and you pretended to love her, forsooth - her whom you have reduced +to the state in which you now see her. See how she weeps! - Oh, +shocking, shocking!”<br> +<br> +By this time I had lost all presence of mind; and I answered, confusedly, +“After all, it is but a shadow, a mere shadow, which a man can +do very well without; and really it is not worth the while to make all +this noise about such a trifle.” Feeling the groundlessness +of what I was saying, I ceased, and no one condescended to reply. +At last I added, “What is lost to-day may be found to-morrow.”<br> +<br> +“Be pleased, sir,” continued the ranger, in great wrath +- “be pleased to explain how you have lost your shadow.”<br> +<br> +Here again an excuse was ready: “A boor of a fellow,” said +I, “one day trod so rudely on my shadow that he tore a large hole +in it. I sent it to be repaired - for gold can do wonders - and +yesterday I expected it home again.”<br> +<br> +“Very well,” answered the ranger. “You are a +suitor for my daughter’s hand, and so are others. As a father, +I am bound to provide for her. I will give you three days to seek +your shadow. Return to me in the course of that time with a well-fitted +shadow, and you shall receive a hearty welcome; otherwise, on the fourth +day - remember, on the fourth day - my daughter becomes the wife of +another.”<br> +<br> +I now attempted to say one word to Minna; but, sobbing more violently, +she clung still closer to her mother, who made a sign for me to withdraw. +I obeyed; and now the world seemed shut out from me for ever.<br> +<br> +Having escaped from the affectionate care of Bendel, I now wandered +wildly through the neighbouring woods and meadows. Drops of anguish +fell from my brow, deep groans burst from my bosom - frenzied despair +raged within me.<br> +<br> +I knew not how long this had lasted, when I felt myself seized by the +sleeve on a sunny heath. I stopped, and looking up, beheld the +grey-coated man, who appeared to have run himself out of breath in pursuing +me. He immediately began:<br> +<br> +“I had,” said he, “appointed this day; but your impatience +anticipated it. All, however, may yet be right. Take my +advice - redeem your shadow, which is at your command, and return immediately +to the ranger’s garden, where you will be well received, and all +the past will seem a mere joke. As for Rascal - who has betrayed +you in order to pay his addresses to Minna - leave him to me; he is +just a fit subject for me.”<br> +<br> +I stood like one in a dream. “This day?” I considered +again. He was right - I had made a mistake of a day. I felt +in my bosom for the purse. He perceived my intention, and drew +back.<br> +<br> +“No, Count Peter; the purse is in good hands - pray keep it.” +I gazed at him with looks of astonishment and inquiry. “I +only beg a trifle as a token of remembrance. Be so good as to +sign this memorandum.” On the parchment, which he held out +to me, were these words: - “By virtue of this present, to which +I have appended my signature, I hereby bequeath my soul to the holder, +after its natural separation from my body.”<br> +<br> +I gazed in mute astonishment alternately at the paper and the grey unknown. +In the meantime he had dipped a new pen in a drop of blood which was +issuing from a scratch in my hand just made by a thorn. He presented +it to me. “Who are you?” at last I exclaimed. +“What can it signify?” he answered; “do you not perceive +who I am? A poor devil - a sort of scholar and philosopher, who +obtains but poor thanks from his friends for his admirable arts, and +whose only amusement on earth consists in his small experiments. +But just sign this; to the right, exactly underneath - Peter Schlemihl.”<br> +<br> +I shook my head, and replied, “Excuse me, sir; I cannot sign that.”<br> +<br> +“Cannot!” he exclaimed; “and why not?”<br> +<br> +“Because it appears to me a hazardous thing to exchange my soul +for my shadow.”<br> +<br> +“Hazardous!” he exclaimed, bursting into a loud laugh. +“And, pray, may I be allowed to inquire what sort of a thing your +soul is? - have you ever seen it? - and what do you mean to do with +it after your death? You ought to think yourself fortunate in +meeting with a customer who, during your life, in exchange for this +infinitely-minute quantity, this galvanic principle, this polarised +agency, or whatever other foolish name you may give it, is willing to +bestow on you something substantial - in a word, your own identical +shadow, by virtue of which you will obtain your beloved Minna, and arrive +at the accomplishment of all your wishes; or do you prefer giving up +the poor young girl to the power of that contemptible scoundrel Rascal +? Nay, you shall behold her with your own eyes. Come here; +I will lend you an invisible cap (he drew something out of his pocket), +and we will enter the ranger’s garden unseen.”<br> +<br> +I must confess that I felt excessively ashamed to be thus laughed at +by the grey stranger. I detested him from the very bottom of my +soul; and I really believe this personal antipathy, more than principle +or previously-formed opinion, restrained me from purchasing my shadow, +much as I stood in need of it, at such an expense. Besides, the +thought was insupportable, of making this proposed visit in his society. +To behold this hateful sneak, this mocking fiend, place himself between +me and my beloved, between our torn and bleeding hearts, was too revolting +an idea to be entertained for a moment. I considered the past +as irrevocable, my own misery as inevitable; and turning to the grey +man, I said, “I have exchanged my shadow for this very extraordinary +purse, and I have sufficiently repented it. For Heaven’s +sake, let the transaction be declared null and void!” He +shook his head; and his countenance assumed an expression of the most +sinister cast. I continued, “I will make no exchange whatever, +even for the sake of my shadow, nor will I sign the paper. It +follows, also, that the incognito visit you propose to me would afford +you far more entertainment than it could possibly give me. Accept +my excuses, therefore; and, since it must be so, let us part.”<br> +<br> +“I am sorry, Mr. Schlemihl, that you thus obstinately persist +in rejecting my friendly offer. Perhaps, another time, I may be +more fortunate. Farewell! May we shortly meet again! +But, <i>à propos, </i>allow me to show you that I do not undervalue +my purchase, but preserve it carefully.”<br> +<br> +So saying, he drew my shadow out of his pocket; and shaking it cleverly +out of its folds, he stretched it out at his feet in the sun - so that +he stood between two obedient shadows, his own and mine, which was compelled +to follow and comply with his every movement.<br> +<br> +On again beholding my poor shadow after so long a separation, and seeing +it degraded to so vile a bondage at the very time that I was so unspeakably +in want of it, my heart was ready to burst, and I wept bitterly. +The detested wretch stood exulting over his prey, and unblushingly renewed +his proposal. “One stroke of your pen, and the unhappy Minna +is rescued from the clutches of the villain Rascal, and transferred +to the arms of the high-born Count Peter - merely a stroke of your pen!”<br> +<br> +My tears broke out with renewed violence; but I turned away from him, +and made a sign for him to be gone.<br> +<br> +Bendel, whose deep solicitude had induced him to come in search of me, +arrived at this very moment. The good and faithful creature, on +seeing me weeping, and that a shadow (evidently mine) was in the power +of the mysterious unknown, determined to rescue it by force, should +that be necessary; and disdaining to use any finesse, he desired him +directly, and without any disputing, to restore my property. Instead +of a reply, the grey man turned his back on the worthy fellow, and was +making off. But Bendel raised his buck-thorn stick; and following +close upon him, after repeated commands, but in vain, to restore the +shadow, he made him feel the whole force of his powerful arm. +The grey man, as if accustomed to such treatment, held down his head, +slouched his shoulders, and, with soft and noiseless steps, pursued +his way over the heath, carrying with him my shadow, and also my faithful +servant. For a long time I heard hollow sounds ringing through +the waste, until at last they died away in the distance, and I was again +left to solitude and misery.<br> +<br> +<br> +Alone on the wild heath, I disburdened my heart of an insupportable +load by giving free vent to my tears. But I saw no bounds, no +relief, to my surpassing wretchedness; and I drank in the fresh poison +which the mysterious stranger had poured into my wounds with a furious +avidity. As I retraced in my mind the loved image of my Minna, +and depicted her sweet countenance all pale and in tears, such as I +had beheld her in my late disgrace, the bold and sarcastic visage of +Rascal would ever and anon thrust itself between us. I hid my +face, and fled rapidly over the plains; but the horrible vision unrelentingly +pursued me, till at last I sank breathless on the ground, and bedewed +it with a fresh torrent of tears - and all this for a shadow! - a shadow +which one stroke of the pen would repurchase. I pondered on the +singular proposal, and on my hesitation to comply with it. My +mind was confused - I had lost the power of judging or comprehending. +The day was waning apace. I satisfied the cravings of hunger with +a few wild fruits, and quenched my thirst at a neighbouring stream. +Night came on; I threw myself down under a tree, and was awoke by the +damp morning air from an uneasy sleep, in which I had fancied myself +struggling in the agonies of death. Bendel had certainly lost +all trace of me, and I was glad of it. I did not wish to return +among my fellow-creatures - I shunned them as the hunted deer flies +before its pursuers. Thus I passed three melancholy days.<br> +<br> +I found myself on the morning of the fourth on a sandy plain, basking +in the rays of the sun, and sitting on a fragment of rock; for it was +sweet to enjoy the genial warmth of which I had so long been deprived. +Despair still preyed on my heart. Suddenly a slight sound startled +me; I looked round, prepared to fly, but saw no one. On the sunlit +sand before me flitted the shadow of a man not unlike my own; and wandering +about alone, it seemed to have lost its master. This sight powerfully +excited me. “Shadow!” thought I, “art thou in +search of thy master? in me thou shalt find him.” And I +sprang forward to seize it, fancying that could I succeed in treading +so exactly in its traces as to step in its footmarks, it would attach +itself to me, and in time become accustomed to me, and follow all my +movements.<br> +<br> +The shadow, as I moved, took to flight, and I commenced a hot chase +after the airy fugitive, solely excited by the hope of being delivered +from my present dreadful situation; the bare idea inspired me with fresh +strength and vigour.<br> +<br> +The shadow now fled towards a distant wood, among whose shades I must +necessarily have lost it. Seeing this, my heart beat wild with +fright, my ardour increased and lent wings to my speed. I was +evidently gaining on the shadow - I came nearer and nearer - I was within +reach of it, when it suddenly stopped and turned towards me. Like +a lion darting on its prey, I made a powerful spring and fell unexpectedly +upon a hard substance. Then followed, from an invisible hand, +the most terrible blows in the ribs that anyone ever received. +The effect of my terror made me endeavour convulsively to strike and +grasp at the unseen object before me. The rapidity of my motions +brought me to the ground, where I lay stretched out with a man under +me, whom I held tight, and who now became visible.<br> +<br> +The whole affair was now explained. The man had undoubtedly possessed +the bird’s nest which communicates its charm of invisibility to +its possessor, though not equally so to his shadow; and this nest he +had now thrown away. I looked all round, and soon discovered the +shadow of this invisible nest. I sprang towards it, and was fortunate +enough to seize the precious booty, and immediately became invisible +and shadowless.<br> +<br> +The moment the man regained his feet he looked all round over the wide +sunny plain to discover his fortunate vanquisher, but could see neither +him nor his shadow, the latter seeming particularly to be the object +of his search: for previous to our encounter he had not had leisure +to observe that I was shadowless, and he could not be aware of it. +Becoming convinced that all traces of me were lost, he began to tear +his hair, and give himself up to all the frenzy of despair. In +the meantime, this newly acquired treasure communicated to me both the +ability and the desire to mix again among mankind.<br> +<br> +I was at a loss for a pretext to vindicate this unjust robbery - or, +rather, so deadened had I become, I felt no need of a pretext; and in +order to dissipate every idea of the kind, I hastened on, regardless +of the unhappy man, whose fearful lamentations long resounded in my +ears. Such, at the time, were my impressions of all the circumstances +of this affair.<br> +<br> +I now ardently desired to return to the ranger’s garden, in order +to ascertain in person the truth of the information communicated by +the odious unknown; but I knew not where I was, until, ascending an +eminence to take a survey of the surrounding country, I perceived, from +its summit, the little town and the gardens almost at my feet. +My heart beat violently, and tears of a nature very different from those +I had lately shed filled my eyes. I should, then, once more behold +her!<br> +<br> +Anxiety now hastened my steps. Unseen I met some peasants coming +from the town; they were talking of me, of Rascal, and of the ranger. +I would not stay to listen to their conversation, but proceeded on. +My bosom thrilled with expectation as I entered the garden. At +this moment I heard something like a hollow laugh which caused me involuntarily +to shudder. I cast a rapid glance around, but could see no one. +I passed on; presently I fancied I heard the sound of footsteps close +to me, but no one was within sight. My ears must have deceived +me.<br> +<br> +It was early; no one was in Count Peter’s bower - the gardens +were deserted. I traversed all the well-known paths, and penetrated +even to the dwelling-house itself. The same rustling sound became +now more and more audible. With anguished feelings I sat down +on a seat placed in the sunny space before the door, and actually felt +some invisible fiend take a place by me, and heard him utter a sarcastic +laugh. The key was turned in the door, which was opened. +The forest-master appeared with a paper in his hand. Suddenly +my head was, as it were, enveloped in a mist. I looked up, and, +oh horror! the grey-coated man was at my side, peering in my face with +a satanic grin. He had extended the mist-cap he wore over my head. +His shadow and my own were lying together at his feet in perfect amity. +He kept twirling in his hand the well-known parchment with an air of +indifference; and while the ranger, absorbed in thought, and intent +upon his paper, paced up and down the arbour, my tormentor confidentially +leaned towards me, and whispered, “So, Mr. Schlemihl, you have +at length accepted my invitation; and here we sit, two heads under one +hood, as the saying is. Well, well, all in good time. But +now you can return me my bird’s nest - you have no further occasion +for it; and I am sure you are too honourable a man to withhold it from +me. No need of thanks, I assure you; I had infinite pleasure in +lending it to you.” He took it out of my unresisting hand, +put it into his pocket, and then broke into so loud a laugh at my expense, +that the forest-master turned round, startled at the sound. I +was petrified. “You must acknowledge,” he continued, +“that in our position a hood is much more convenient. It +serves to conceal not only a man, but his shadow, or as many shadows +as he chooses to carry. I, for instance, to-day bring two, you +perceive.” He laughed again. “Take notice, Schlemihl, +that what a man refuses to do with a good grace in the first instance, +he is always in the end compelled to do. I am still of opinion +that you ought to redeem your shadow and claim your bride (for it is +yet time); and as to Rascal, he shall dangle at a rope’s end - +no difficult matter, so long as we can find a bit. As a mark of +friendship I will give you my cap into the bargain.”<br> +<br> +The mother now came out, and the following conversation took place: +“What is Minna doing?” “She is weeping.” +“Silly child! what good can that do?” “None, +certainly; but it is so soon to bestow her hand on another. O +husband, you are too harsh to your poor child.” “No, +wife; you view things in a wrong light. When she finds herself +the wife of a wealthy and honourable man, her tears will soon cease; +she will waken out of a dream, as it were, happy and grateful to Heaven +and to her parents, as you will see.” “Heaven grant +it may be so!” replied the wife. “She has, indeed, +now considerable property; but after the noise occasioned by her unlucky +affair with that adventurer, do you imagine that she is likely soon +to meet with so advantageous a match as Mr. Rascal? Do you know +the extent of Mr. Rascal’s influence and wealth? Why, he +has purchased with ready money, in this country, six millions of landed +property, free from all encumbrances. I have had all the documents +in my hands. It was he who outbid me everywhere when I was about +to make a desirable purchase; and, besides, he has bills on Mr. Thomas +John’s house to the amount of three millions and a half.” +“He must have been a prodigious thief!” “How +foolishly you talk! he wisely saved where others squandered their property.” +“A mere livery-servant!” “Nonsense! he has at +all events an unexceptionable shadow.” “True, but +. . . ”<br> +<br> +While this conversation was passing, the grey-coated man looked at me +with a satirical smile.<br> +<br> +The door opened, and Minna entered, leaning on the arm of her female +attendant, silent tears flowing down her fair but pallid face. +She seated herself in the chair which had been placed for her under +the lime-trees, and her father took a stool by her side. He gently +raised her hand; and as her tears flowed afresh, he addressed her in +the most affectionate manner<br> +<br> +“My own dear, good child - my Minna - will act reasonably, and +not afflict her poor old father, who only wishes to make her happy. +My dearest child, this blow has shaken you - dreadfully, I know it; +but you have been saved, as by a miracle, from a miserable fate, my +Minna. You loved the unworthy villain most tenderly before his +treachery was discovered: I feel all this, Minna; and far be it from +me to reproach you for it - in fact, I myself loved him so long as I +considered him to be a person of rank: you now see yourself how differently +it has turned out. Every dog has a shadow; and the idea of my +child having been on the eve of uniting herself to a man who . . . but +I am sure you will think no more of him. A suitor has just appeared +for you in the person of a man who does not fear the sun - an honourable +man - no prince indeed, but a man worth ten millions of golden ducats +sterling - a sum nearly ten times larger than your fortune consists +of - a man, too, who will make my dear child happy - nay, do not oppose +me - be my own good, dutiful child - allow your loving father to provide +for you, and to dry up these tears. Promise to bestow your hand +on Mr. Rascal. Speak my child: will you not?”<br> +<br> +Minna could scarcely summon strength to reply that she had now no longer +any hopes or desires on earth, and that she was entirely at her father’s +disposal. Rascal was therefore immediately sent for, and entered +the room with his usual forwardness; but Minima in the meantime had +swooned away.<br> +<br> +My detested companion looked at me indignantly, and whispered, “Can +you endure this? Have you no blood in your veins?” +He instantly pricked my finger, which bled. “Yes, positively,” +he exclaimed, “you have some blood left! - come, sign.” +The parchment and pen were in my hand!<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER IV.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +I submit myself to thy judgment, my dear Chamisso; I do not seek to +bias it. I have long been a rigid censor of myself, and nourished +at my heart the worm of remorse. This critical moment of my life +is ever present to my soul, and I dare only cast a hesitating glance +at it, with a deep sense of humiliation and grief. Ah, my dear +friend, he who once permits himself thoughtlessly to deviate but one +step from the right road, will imperceptibly find himself involved in +various intricate paths, all leading him farther and farther astray. +In vain he beholds the guiding-stars of Heaven shining before him. +No choice is left him - he must descend the precipice, and offer himself +up a sacrifice to his fate. After the false step which I had rashly +made, and which entailed a curse upon me, I had, in the wantonness of +passion, entangled one in my fate who had staked all her happiness upon +me. What was left for me to do in a case where I had brought another +into misery, but to make a desperate leap in the dark to save her ? +- the last, the only means of rescue presented itself. Think not +so meanly of me, Chamisso, as to imagine that I would have shrunk from +any sacrifice on my part. In such a case it would have been but +a poor ransom. No, Chamisso; but my whole soul was filled with +unconquerable hatred to the cringing knave and his crooked ways. +I might be doing him injustice; but I shuddered at the bare idea of +entering into any fresh compact with him. But here a circumstance +took place which entirely changed the face of things . . .<br> +<br> +I know not whether to ascribe it to excitement of mind, exhaustion of +physical strength (for during the last few days I had scarcely tasted +anything), or the antipathy I felt to the society of my fiendish companion; +but just as I was about to sign the fatal paper, I fell into a deep +swoon, and remained for a long time as if dead. The first sounds +which greeted my ear on recovering my consciousness were those of cursing +and imprecation; I opened my eyes - it was dusk; my hateful companion +was overwhelming me with reproaches. “Is not this behaving +like an old woman? Come, rise up, and finish quickly what you +were going to do; or perhaps you have changed your determination, and +prefer to lie groaning there?”<br> +<br> +I raised myself with difficulty from the ground and gazed around me +without speaking a word. It was late in the evening, and I heard +strains of festive music proceeding from the ranger’s brilliantly +illuminated house; groups of company were lounging about the gardens; +two persons approached, and seating themselves on the bench I had lately +occupied, began to converse on the subject of the marriage which had +taken place that morning between the wealthy Mr. Rascal and Minima. +All was then over.<br> +<br> +I tore off the cap which rendered me invisible; and my companion having +disappeared, I plunged in silence into the thickest gloom of the grove, +rapidly passed Count Peter’s bower towards the entrance-gate; +but my tormentor still haunted me, and loaded me with reproaches. +“And is this all the gratitude I am to expect from you, Mr. Schlemihl +- you, whom I have been watching all the weary day, until you should +recover from your nervous attack? What a fool’s part I have +been enacting! It is of no use flying from me, Mr. Perverse - +we are inseparable - you have my gold, I have your shadow; this exchange +deprives us both of peace. Did you ever hear of a man’s +shadow leaving him? - yours follows me until you receive it again into +favour, and thus free me from it. Disgust and weariness sooner +or later will compel you to do what you should have done gladly at first. +In vain you strive with fate!”<br> +<br> +He continued unceasingly in the same tone, uttering constant sarcasms +about the gold and the shadow, till I was completely bewildered. +To fly from him was impossible. I had pursued my way through the +empty streets towards my own house, which I could scarcely recognise +- the windows were broken to pieces, no light was visible, the doors +were shut, and the bustle of domestics had ceased. My companion +burst into a loud laugh. “Yes, yes,” said he, “you +see the state of things: however, you will find your friend Bendel at +home; he was sent back the other day so fatigued, that I assure you +he has never left the house since. He will have a fine story to +tell! So I wish you a very good night - may we shortly meet again!”<br> +<br> +I had repeatedly rung the bell: at last a light appeared; and Bendel +inquired from within who was there. The poor fellow could scarcely +contain himself at the sound of my voice. The door flew open, +and we were locked in each other’s arms. I found him sadly +changed; he was looking ill and feeble. I, too, was altered; my +hair had become quite grey. He conducted me through the desolate +apartments to an inner room, which had escaped the general wreck. +After partaking of some refreshment, we seated ourselves; and, with +fresh lamentations, he began to tell me that the grey withered old man +whom he had met with my shadow had insensibly led him such a zig-zag +race, that he had lost all traces of me, and at last sank down exhausted +with fatigue; that, unable to find me, he had returned home, when, shortly +after the mob, at Rascal’s instigation, assembled violently before +the house, broke the windows, and by all sorts of excesses completely +satiated their fury. Thus had they treated their benefactor. +My servants had fled in all directions. The police had banished +me from the town as a suspicious character, and granted me an interval +of twenty-four hours to leave the territory. Bendel added many +particulars as to the information I had already obtained respecting +Rascal’s wealth and marriage. This villain, it seems - who +was the author of all the measures taken against me - became possessed +of my secret nearly from the beginning, and, tempted by the love of +money, had supplied himself with a key to my chest, and from that time +had been laying the foundation of his present wealth. Bendel related +all this with many tears, and wept for joy that I was once more safely +restored to him, after all his fears and anxieties for me. In +me, however, such a state of things only awoke despair.<br> +<br> +My dreadful fate now stared me in the face in all its gigantic and unchangeable +horror. The source of tears was exhausted within me; no groans +escaped my breast; but with cool indifference I bared my unprotected +head to the blast. “Bendel,” said I, “you know +my fate; this heavy visitation is a punishment for my early sins: but +as for thee, my innocent friend, I can no longer permit thee to share +my destiny. I will depart this very night - saddle me a horse +- I will set out alone. Remain here, Bendel - I insist upon it: +there must be some chests of gold still left in the house - take them, +they are thine. I shall be a restless and solitary wanderer on +the face of the earth; but should better days arise, and fortune once +more smile propitiously on me, then I will not forget thy steady fidelity; +for in hours of deep distress thy faithful bosom has been the depository +of my sorrows.” With a bursting heart, the worthy Bendel +prepared to obey this last command of his master; for I was deaf to +all his arguments and blind to his tears. My horse was brought +- I pressed my weeping friend to my bosom - threw myself into the saddle, +and, under the friendly shades of night, quitted this sepulchre of my +existence, indifferent which road my horse should take; for now on this +side the grave I had neither wishes, hopes, nor fears.<br> +<br> +After a short time I was joined by a traveller on foot, who, after walking +for a while by the side of my horse, observed that as we both seemed +to be travelling the same road, he should beg my permission to lay his +cloak on the horse’s back behind me, to which I silently assented. +He thanked me with easy politeness for this trifling favour, praised +my horse, and then took occasion to extol the happiness and the power +of the rich, and fell, I scarcely know how, into a sort of conversation +with himself, in which I merely acted the part of listener. He +unfolded his views of human life and of the world, and, touching on +metaphysics, demanded an answer from that cloudy science to the question +of questions - the answer that should solve all mysteries. He +deduced one problem from another in a very lucid manner, and then proceeded +to their solution.<br> +<br> +You may remember, my dear friend, that after having run through the +school-philosophy, I became sensible of my unfitness for metaphysical +speculations, and therefore totally abstained from engaging in them. +Since then I have acquiesced in some things, and abandoned all hope +of comprehending others; trusting, as you advised me, to my own plain +sense and the voice of conscience to direct and, if possible, maintain +me in the right path.<br> +<br> +Now this skilful rhetorician seemed to me to expend great skill in rearing +a firmly-constructed edifice, towering aloft on its own self-supported +basis, but resting on, and upheld by, some internal principle of necessity. +I regretted in it the total absence of what I desired to find; and thus +it seemed a mere work of art, serving only by its elegance and exquisite +finish to captivate the eye. Nevertheless, I listened with pleasure +to this eloquently gifted man, who diverted my attention from my own +sorrows to the speaker; and he would have secured my entire acquiescence +if he had appealed to my heart as well as to my judgment.<br> +<br> +In the meantime the hours had passed away, and morning had already dawned +imperceptibly in the horizon; looking up, I shuddered as I beheld in +the east all those splendid hues that announce the rising sun. +At this hour, when all natural shadows are seen in their full proportions, +not a fence or a shelter of any kind could I descry in this open country, +and I was not alone! I cast a glance at my companion, and shuddered +again - it was the man in the grey coat himself! He laughed at +my surprise, and said, without giving me time to speak: “You see, +according to the fashion of this world, mutual convenience binds us +together for a time: there is plenty of time to think of parting. +The road here along the mountain, which perhaps has escaped your notice, +is the only one that you can prudently take; into the valley you dare +not descend - the path over the mountain would but reconduct you to +the town which you have left - my road, too, lies this way. I +perceive you change colour at the rising sun - I have no objections +to let you have the loan of your shadow during our journey, and in return +you may not be indisposed to tolerate my society. You have now +no Bendel; but I will act for him. I regret that you are not over-fond +of me; but that need not prevent you from accepting my poor services. +The devil is not so black as he is painted. Yesterday you provoked +me, I own; but now that is all forgotten, and you must confess I have +this day succeeded in beguiling the wearisomeness of your journey. +Come, take your shadow, and make trial of it.”<br> +<br> +The sun had risen, and we were meeting with passengers; so I reluctantly +consented. With a smile, he immediately let my shadow glide down +to the ground; and I beheld it take its place by that of my horse, and +gaily trot along with me. My feelings were anything but pleasant. +I rode through groups of country people, who respectfully made way for +the well-mounted stranger. Thus I proceeded, occasionally stealing +a sidelong glance with a beating heart from my horse at the shadow once +my own, but now, alas, accepted as a loan from a stranger, or rather +a fiend. He moved on carelessly at my side, whistling a song. +He being on foot, and I on horseback, the temptation to hazard a silly +project occurred to me; so, suddenly turning my bridle, I set spurs +to my horse, and at full gallop struck into a by-path; but my shadow, +on the sudden movement of my horse, glided away, and stood on the road +quietly awaiting the approach of its legal owner. I was obliged +to return abashed towards the grey man; but he very coolly finished +his song, and with a laugh set my shadow to rights again, reminding +me that it was at my option to have it irrevocably fixed to me, by purchasing +it on just and equitable terms. “I hold you,” said +he, “by the shadow; and you seek in vain to get rid of me. +A rich man like you requires a shadow, unquestionably; and you are to +blame for not having seen this sooner.”<br> +<br> +I now continued my journey on the same road; every convenience and even +luxury of life was mine; I moved about in peace and freedom, for I possessed +a shadow, though a borrowed one; and all the respect due to wealth was +paid to me. But a deadly disease preyed on my heart. My +extraordinary companion, who gave himself out to be the humble attendant +of the richest individual in the world, was remarkable for his dexterity; +in short, his singular address and promptitude admirably fitted him +to be the very <i>beau ideal </i>of a rich man’s lacquey. +But he never stirred from my side, and tormented me with constant assurances +that a day would most certainly come when, if it were only to get rid +of him, I should gladly comply with his terms, and redeem my shadow. +Thus he became as irksome as he was hateful to me. I really stood +in awe of him - I had placed myself in his power. Since he had +effected my return to the pleasures of the world, which I had resolved +to shun, he had the perfect mastery of me. His eloquence was irresistible, +and at times I almost thought he was in the right. A shadow is +indeed necessary to a man of fortune; and if I chose to maintain the +position in which he had placed me, there was only one means of doing +so. But on one point I was immovable: since I had sacrificed my +love for Minna, and thereby blighted the happiness of my whole life, +I would not now, for all the shadows in the universe be induced to sign +away my soul to this being - I knew not how it might end.<br> +<br> +One day we were sitting by the entrance of a cavern, much visited by +strangers, who ascended the mountain: the rushing noise of a subterranean +torrent resounded from the fathomless abyss, the depths of which exceeded +all calculation. He was, according to his favourite custom, employing +all the powers of his lavish fancy, and all the charm of the most brilliant +colouring, to depict to me what I might effect in the world by virtue +of my purse, when once I had recovered my shadow. With my elbows +resting on my knees, I kept my face concealed in my hands, and listened +to the false fiend, my heart torn between the temptation and my determined +opposition to it. Such indecision I could no longer endure, and +resolved on one decisive effort.<br> +<br> +“You seem to forget,” said I, “that I tolerate your +presence only on certain conditions, and that I am to retain perfect +freedom of action.”<br> +<br> +“You have but to command, I depart,” was all his reply.<br> +<br> +The threat was familiar to me; I was silent. He then began to +fold up my shadow. I turned pale, but allowed him to continue. +A long silence ensued, which he was the first to break.<br> +<br> +“You cannot endure me, Mr Schlemihl - you hate me - I am aware +of it - but why? - is it, perhaps, because you attacked me on the open +plain, in order to rob me of my invisible bird’s nest? or is it +because you thievishly endeavoured to seduce away the shadow with which +I had entrusted you - my own property - confiding implicitly in your +honour! I, for my part, have no dislike to you. It is perfectly +natural that you should avail yourself of every means, presented either +by cunning or force, to promote your own interests. That your +principles also should be of the strictest sort, and your intentions +of the most honourable description, - these are fancies with which I +have nothing to do; I do not pretend to such strictness myself. +Each of us is free, I to act, and you to think, as seems best. +Did I ever seize you by the throat, to tear out of your body that valuable +soul I so ardently wish to possess? Did I ever set my servant +to attack you, to get back my purse, or attempt to run off with it from +you?”<br> +<br> +I had not a word to reply.<br> +<br> +“Well, well,” he exclaimed, “you detest me, and I +know it; but I bear you no malice on that account. We must part +- that is clear; also I must say that you begin to be very tiresome +to me. Once more let me advise you to free yourself entirely from +my troublesome presence by the purchase of your shadow.”<br> +<br> +I held out the purse to him.<br> +<br> +“No, Mr. Schlemihl; not at that price.”<br> +<br> +With a deep sigh, I said, “Be it so, then; let us part, I entreat; +cross my path no more. There is surely room enough in the world +for us both.”<br> +<br> +Laughing, he replied, “I go; but just allow me to inform you how +you may at any time recall me whenever you have a mind to see your most +humble servant: you have only to shake your purse, the sound of the +gold will bring me to you in an instant. In this world every one +consults his own advantage; but you see I have thought of yours, and +clearly confer upon you a new power. Oh this purse! it would still +prove a powerful bond between us, had the moth begun to devour your +shadow. - But enough: you hold me by my gold, and may command your servant +at any distance. You know that I can be very serviceable to my +friends; and that the rich are my peculiar care - this you have observed. +As to your shadow, allow me to say, you can only redeem it on one condition.”<br> +<br> +Recollections of former days came over me; and I hastily asked him if +he had obtained Mr. Thomas John’s signature.<br> +<br> +He smiled, and said, “It was by no means necessary from so excellent +a friend.”<br> +<br> +“Where is he? for God’s sake tell me: I insist upon knowing.”<br> +<br> +With some hesitation, he put his hand into his pocket; and drew out +the altered and pallid form of Mr. John by the hair of his head, whose +livid lips uttered the awful words, “<i>Justo judicio Dei judicatus +sum; justo judicio Dei condemnatus sum</i>” - “I am judged +and condemned by the just judgment of God.” I was horror-struck; +and instantly throwing the jingling purse into the abyss, I exclaimed, +“Wretch! in the name of Heaven, I conjure you to be gone! - away +from my sight! - never appear before me again!” With a dark +expression on his countenance, he arose, and immediately vanished behind +the huge rocks which surrounded the place.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER V.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +I was now left equally without gold and without shadow; but a heavy +load was taken from my breast, and I felt cheerful. Had not my +Minna been irrecoverably lost to me, or even had I been perfectly free +from self-reproach on her account, I felt that happiness might yet have +been mine. At present I was lost in doubt as to my future course. +I examined my pockets, and found I had a few gold pieces still left, +which I counted with feelings of great satisfaction. I had left +my horse at the inn, and was ashamed to return, or at all events I must +wait till the sun had set, which at present was high in the heavens. +I laid myself down under a shady tree and fell into a peaceful sleep.<br> +<br> +Lovely forms floated in airy measures before me, and filled up my delightful +dreams. Minna, with a garland of flowers entwined in her hair, +was bending over me with a smile of goodwill; also the worthy Bendel +was crowned with flowers, and hastened to meet me with friendly greetings. +Many other forms seemed to rise up confusedly in the distance: thyself +among the number, Chamisso. Perfect radiance beamed around them, +but none had a shadow; and what was more surprising, there was no appearance +of unhappiness on this account. Nothing was to be seen or heard +but flowers and music; and love and joy, and groves of never-fading +palms, seemed the natives of that happy clime.<br> +<br> +In vain I tried to detain and comprehend the lovely but fleeting forms. +I was conscious, also, of being in a dream, and was anxious that nothing +should rouse me from it; and when I did awake, I kept my eyes closed, +in order if possible to continue the illusion. At last I opened +my eyes. The sun was now visible in the east; I must have slept +the whole night: I looked upon this as a warning not to return to the +inn. What I had left there I was content to lose, without much +regret; and resigning myself to Providence, I decided on taking a by-road +that led through the wooded declivity of the mountain. I never +once cast a glance behind me; nor did it ever occur to me to return, +as I might have done, to Bendel, whom I had left in affluence. +I reflected on the new character I was now going to assume in the world. +My present garb was very humble - consisting of an old black coat I +formerly had worn at Berlin, and which by some chance was the first +I put my hand on before setting out on this journey, a travelling-cap, +and an old pair of boots. I cut down a knotted stick in memory +of the spot, and commenced my pilgrimage.<br> +<br> +In the forest I met an aged peasant, who gave me a friendly greeting, +and with whom I entered into conversation, requesting, as a traveller +desirous of information, some particulars relative to the road, the +country, and its inhabitants, the productions of the mountain, &c. +He replied to my various inquiries with readiness and intelligence. +At last we reached the bed of a mountain-torrent, which had laid waste +a considerable tract of the forest; I inwardly shuddered at the idea +of the open sunshine. I suffered the peasant to go before me. +In the middle of the very place which I dreaded so much, he suddenly +stopped, and turned back to give me an account of this inundation; but +instantly perceiving that I had no shadow, he broke off abruptly, and +exclaimed, “How is this? - you have no shadow!”<br> +<br> +“Alas, alas!” said I, “in a long and serious illness +I had the misfortune to lose my hair, my nails, and my shadow. +Look, good father; although my hair has grown again, it is quite white; +and at my age, my nails are still very short; and my poor shadow seems +to have left me, never to return.”<br> +<br> +“Ah!” said the old man, shaking his head; “no shadow! +that was indeed a terrible illness, sir.”<br> +<br> +But he did not resume his narrative; and at the very first cross-road +we came to, left me without uttering a syllable. Fresh tears flowed +from my eyes, and my cheerfulness had fled. With a heavy heart +I travelled on, avoiding all society. I plunged into the deepest +shades of the forest; and often, to avoid a sunny tract of country, +I waited for hours till every human being had left it, and I could pass +it unobserved. In the evenings I took shelter in the villages. +I bent my steps to a mine in the mountains, where I hoped to meet with +work underground; for besides that my present situation compelled me +to provide for my own support, I felt that incessant and laborious occupation +alone could divert my mind from dwelling on painful subjects. +A few rainy days assisted me materially on my journey; but it was to +the no small detriment of my boots, the soles of which were better suited +to Count Peter than to the poor foot-traveller. I was soon barefoot, +and a new purchase must be made. The following morning I commenced +an earnest search in a marketplace, where a fair was being held; and +I saw in one of the booths new and second-hand boots set out for sale. +I was a long time selecting and bargaining; I wished much to have a +new pair, but was frightened at the extravagant price; and so was obliged +to content myself with a second-hand pair, still pretty good and strong, +which the beautiful fair-haired youth who kept the booth handed over +to me with a cheerful smile, wishing me a prosperous journey. +I went on, and left the place immediately by the northern gate.<br> +<br> +I was so lost in my own thoughts, that I walked along scarcely knowing +how or where. I was calculating the chances of my reaching the +mine by the evening, and considering how I should introduce myself. +I had not gone two hundred steps, when I perceived I was not in the +right road. I looked round, and found myself in a wild-looking +forest of ancient firs, where apparently the stroke of the axe had never +been heard. A few steps more brought me amid huge rocks covered +with moss and saxifragous plants, between which whole fields of snow +and ice were extended. The air was intensely cold. I looked +round, and the forest had disappeared behind me; a few steps more, and +there was the stillness of death itself. The icy plain on which +I stood stretched to an immeasurable distance, and a thick cloud rested +upon it; the sun was of a red blood-colour at the verge of the horizon; +the cold was insupportable. I could not imagine what had happened +to me. The benumbing frost made me quicken my pace. I heard +a distant sound of waters; and, at one step more, I stood on the icy +shore of some ocean. Innumerable droves of sea-dogs rushed past +me and plunged into the waves. I continued my way along this coast, +and again met with rocks, plains, birch and fir forests, and yet only +a few minutes had elapsed. It was now intensely hot. I looked +around, and suddenly found myself between some fertile rice-fields and +mulberry-trees; I sat down under their shade, and found by my watch +that it was just one quarter of an hour since I had left the village +market. I fancied it was a dream; but no, I was indeed awake, +as I felt by the experiment I made of biting my tongue. I closed +my eyes in order to collect my scattered thoughts. Presently I +heard unintelligible words uttered in a nasal tone; and I beheld two +Chinese, whose Asiatic physiognomies were not to be mistaken, even had +their costume not betrayed their origin. They were addressing +me in the language and with the salutations of their country. +I rose, and drew back a couple of steps. They had disappeared; +the landscape was entirely changed; the rice-fields had given place +to trees and woods. I examined some of the trees and plants around +me, and ascertained such of them as I was acquainted with to be productions +of the southern part of Asia. I made one step towards a particular +tree, and again all was changed. I now moved on like a recruit +at drill, taking slow and measured steps, gazing with astonished eyes +at the wonderful variety of regions, plains, meadows, mountains, steppes, +and sandy deserts, which passed in succession before me. I had +now no doubt that I had seven-leagued boots on my feet.<br> +<br> +I fell on my knees in silent gratitude, shedding tears of thankfulness; +for I now saw clearly what was to be my future condition. Shut +out by early sins from all human society, I was offered amends for the +privation by Nature herself, which I had ever loved. The earth +was granted me as a rich garden; and the knowledge of her operations +was to be the study and object of my life. This was not a mere +resolution. I have since endeavoured, with anxious and unabated +industry, faithfully to imitate the finished and brilliant model then +presented to me; and my vanity has received a check when led to compare +the picture with the original. I rose immediately, and took a +hasty survey of this new field, where I hoped afterwards to reap a rich +harvest.<br> +<br> +I stood on the heights of Thibet; and the sun I had lately beheld in +the east was now sinking in the west. I traversed Asia from east +to west, and thence passed into Africa, which I curiously examined at +repeated visits in all directions. As I gazed on the ancient pyramids +and temples of Egypt, I descried, in the sandy deserts near Thebes of +the hundred gates, the caves where Christian hermits dwelt of old.<br> +<br> +My determination was instantly taken, that here should be my future +dwelling. I chose one of the most secluded, but roomy, comfortable, +and inaccessible to the jackals.<br> +<br> +I stepped over from the pillars of Hercules to Europe; and having taken +a survey of its northern and southern countries, I passed by the north +of Asia, on the polar glaciers, to Greenland and America, visiting both +parts of this continent; and the winter, which was already at its height +in the south, drove me quickly back from Cape Horn to the north. +I waited till daylight had risen in the east of Asia, and then, after +a short rest, continued my pilgrimage. I followed in both the +Americas the vast chain of the Andes, once considered the loftiest on +our globe. I stepped carefully and slowly from one summit to another, +sometimes over snowy heights, sometimes over flaming volcanoes, often +breathless from fatigue. At last I reached Elias’s mountain, +and sprang over Behring’s Straits into Asia; I followed the western +coast in its various windings, carefully observing which of the neighbouring +isles was accessible to me. From the peninsula of Malacca, my +boots carried me to Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Lombok. I made many +attempts - often with danger, and always unsuccessfully - to force my +way over the numerous little islands and rocks with which this sea is +studded, wishing to find a north-west passage to Borneo and other islands +of the Archipelago.<br> +<br> +At last I sat down at the extreme point of Lombok, my eyes turned towards +the south-east, lamenting that I had so soon reached the limits allotted +to me, and bewailing my fate as a captive in his grated cell. +Thus was I shut out from that remarkable country, New Holland, and the +islands of the southern ocean, so essentially necessary to a knowledge +of the earth, and which would have best assisted me in the study of +the animal and vegetable kingdoms. And thus, at the very outset, +I beheld all my labours condemned to be limited to mere fragments.<br> +<br> +Ah! Chamisso, what is the activity of man?<br> +<br> +Frequently in the most rigorous winters of the southern hemisphere I +have rashly thrown myself on a fragment of drifting ice between Cape +Horn and Van Dieman’s Land, in the hope of effecting a passage +to New Holland, reckless of the cold and the vast ocean, reckless of +my fate, even should this savage land prove my grave.<br> +<br> +But all in vain - I never reached New Holland. Each time, when +defeated in my attempt, I returned to Lombok; and seated at its extreme +point, my eyes directed to the south-east, I gave way afresh to lamentations +that my range of investigation was so limited. At last I tore +myself from the spot, and, heartily grieved at my disappointment, returned +to the interior of Asia. Setting out at morning dawn, I traversed +it from east to west, and at night reached the cave in Thebes which +I had previously selected for my dwelling-place, and had visited yesterday +afternoon.<br> +<br> +After a short repose, as soon as daylight had visited Europe, it was +my first care to provide myself with the articles of which I stood most +in need. First of all a drag, to act on my boots; for I had experienced +the inconvenience of these whenever I wished to shorten my steps and +examine surrounding objects more fully. A pair of slippers to +go over the boots served the purpose effectually; and from that time +I carried two pairs about me, because I frequently cast them off from +my feet in my botanical investigations, without having time to pick +them up, when threatened by the approach of lions, men, or hyenas. +My excellent watch, owing to the short duration of my movements, was +also on these occasions an admirable chronometer. I wanted, besides, +a sextant, a few philosophical instruments, and some books. To +purchase these things, I made several unwilling journeys to London and +Paris, choosing a time when I could be hid by the favouring clouds. +As all my ill-gotten gold was exhausted, I carried over from Africa +some ivory, which is there so plentiful, in payment of my purchases +- taking care, however, to pick out the smallest teeth, in order not +to over-burden myself. I had thus soon provided myself with all +that I wanted, and now entered on a new mode of life as a student - +wandering over the globe - measuring the height of the mountains, and +the temperature of the air and of the springs - observing the manners +and habits of animals - investigating plants and flowers. From +the equator to the pole, and from the new world to the old, I was constantly +engaged in repeating and comparing my experiments.<br> +<br> +My usual food consisted of the eggs of the African ostrich or northern +sea-birds, with a few fruits, especially those of the palm and the banana +of the tropics. The tobacco-plant consoled me when I was depressed; +and the affection of my spaniel was a compensation for the loss of human +sympathy and society. When I returned from my excursions, loaded +with fresh treasures, to my cave in Thebes, which he guarded during +my absence, he ever sprang joyfully forward to greet me, and made me +feel that I was indeed not alone on the earth. An adventure soon +occurred which brought me once more among my fellow-creatures.<br> +<br> +<br> +One day, as I was gathering lichens and algae on the northern coast, +with the drag on my boots, a bear suddenly made his appearance, and +was stealing towards me round the corner of a rock. After throwing +away my slippers, I attempted to step across to an island, by means +of a rock, projecting from the waves in the intermediate space, that +served as a stepping-stone. I reached the rock safely with one +foot, but instantly fell into the sea with the other, one of my slippers +having inadvertently remained on. The cold was intense; and I +escaped this imminent peril at the risk of my life. On coming +ashore, I hastened to the Libyan sands to dry myself in the sun; but +the heat affected my head so much, that, in a fit of illness, I staggered +back to the north. In vain I sought relief by change of place +- hurrying from east to west, and from west to east - now in climes +of the south, now in those of the north; sometimes I rushed into daylight, +sometimes into the shades of night. I know not how long this lasted. +A burning fever raged in my veins; with extreme anguish I felt my senses +leaving me. Suddenly, by an unlucky accident, I trod upon some +one’s foot, whom I had hurt, and received a blow in return which +laid me senseless.<br> +<br> +On recovering, I found myself lying comfortably in a good bed, which, +with many other beds, stood in a spacious and handsome apartment. +Some one was watching by me; people seemed to be walking from one bed +to another; they came beside me, and spoke of me as <i>Number Twelve</i>. + On the wall, at the foot of my bed - it was no dream, for I distinctly +read it - on a black-marble tablet was inscribed my name, in large letters +of gold<br> +<br> +<br> +PETER SCHLEMIHL<br> +<br> +<br> +Underneath were two rows of letters in smaller characters, which I was +too feeble to connect together, and closed my eyes again.<br> +<br> +I now heard something read aloud, in which I distinctly noted the words, +“Peter Schlemihl,” but could not collect the full meaning. +I saw a man of benevolent aspect, and a very beautiful female dressed +in black, standing near my bed; their countenances were not unknown +to me, but in my weak state I could not remember who they were. +Some time elapsed, and I began to regain my strength. I was called +<i>Number Twelve, </i>and, from my long beard, was supposed to be a +Jew, but was not the less carefully nursed on that account. No +one seemed to perceive that I was destitute of a shadow. My boots, +I was assured, together with everything found on me when I was brought +here, were in safe keeping, and would be given up to me on my restoration +to health. This place was called the SCHLMEIHLIUM: the daily recitation +I had heard, was an exhortation to pray for Peter Schlemihl as the founder +and benefactor of this institution. The benevolent-looking man +whom I had seen by my bedside was Bendel; the beautiful lady in black +was Minna.<br> +<br> +I had been enjoying the advantages of the Schlemihlium without being +recognised; and I learned, further, that I was in Bendel’s native +town, where he had employed a part of my once unhallowed gold in founding +an hospital in my name, under his superintendence, and that its unfortunate +inmates daily pronounced blessings on me. Minna had become a widow: +an unhappy lawsuit had deprived Rascal of his life, and Minna of the +greater part of her property. Her parents were no more; and here +she dwelt in widowed piety, wholly devoting herself to works of mercy.<br> +<br> +One day, as she stood by the side of Number Twelve’s bed with +Bendel, he said to her, “Noble lady, why expose yourself so frequently +to this unhealthy atmosphere? Has fate dealt so harshly with you +as to render you desirous of death?”<br> +<br> +“By no means, Mr. Bendel,” she replied; “since I have +awoke from my long dream, all has gone well with me. I now neither +wish for death nor fear it, and think on the future and on the past +with equal serenity. Do you not also feel an inward satisfaction +in thus paying a pious tribute of gratitude and love to your old master +and friend?”<br> +<br> +“Thanks be to God, I do, noble lady,” said he. “Ah, +how wonderfully has everything fallen out! How thoughtlessly have +we sipped joys and sorrows from the full cup now drained to the last +drop; and we might fancy the past a mere prelude to the real scene for +which we now wait armed by experience. How different has been +the reality! Yet let us not regret the past, but rather rejoice +that we have not lived in vain. As respects our old friend also, +I have a firm hope that it is now better with him than formerly.”<br> +<br> +“I trust so, too,” answered Minna; and so saying she passed +by me, and they departed.<br> +<br> +This conversation made a deep impression on me; and I hesitated whether +I should discover myself or depart unknown. At last I decided; +and, asking for pen and paper, wrote as follows:-<br> +<br> +“Matters are indeed better with your old friend than formerly. +He has repented; and his repentance has led to forgiveness.”<br> +<br> +I now attempted to rise, for I felt myself stronger. The keys +of a little chest near my bed were given me; and in it I found all my +effects. I put on my clothes; fastened my botanical case round +me - wherein, with delight, I found my northern lichens all safe - put +on my boots, and leaving my note on the table, left the gates, and was +speedily far advanced on the road to Thebes.<br> +<br> +Passing along the Syrian coast, which was the same road I had taken +on last leaving home, I beheld my poor Figaro running to meet me. +The faithful animal, after vainly waiting at home for his master’s +return, had probably followed his traces. I stood still, and called +him. He sprang towards me with leaps and barks, and a thousand +demonstrations of unaffected delight. I took him in my arms - +for he was unable to follow me - and carried him home.<br> +<br> +There I found everything exactly in the order in which I had left it; +and returned by degrees, as my increasing strength allowed me, to my +old occupations and usual mode of life, from which I was kept back a +whole year by my fall into the Polar Ocean. And this, dear Chamisso, +is the life I am still leading. My boots are not yet worn out, +as I had been led to fear would be the case from that very learned work +of Tieckius - <i>De</i> <i>rebus gestis Pollicilli</i>. Their +energies remain unimpaired; and although mine are gradually failing +me, I enjoy the consolation of having spent them in pursuing incessantly +one object, and that not fruitlessly.<br> +<br> +So far as my boots would carry me, I have observed and studied our globe +and its conformation, its mountains and temperature, the atmosphere +in its various changes, the influences of the magnetic power; in fact, +I have studied all living creation - and more especially the kingdom +of plants - more profoundly than any one of our race. I have arranged +all the facts in proper order, to the best of my ability, in different +works. The consequences deducible from these facts, and my views +respecting them, I have hastily recorded in some essays and dissertations. +I have settled the geography of the interior of Africa and the Arctic +regions, of the interior of Asia and of its eastern coast. My +<i>Historia stirpium plantarum utriusque orbis </i>is an extensive fragment +of a <i>Flora universalis terræ </i>and a part of my <i>Systema +naturæ</i>. Besides increasing the number of our known species +by more than a third, I have also contributed somewhat to the natural +system of plants and to a knowledge of their geography. I am now +deeply engaged on my <i>Fauna, </i>and shall take care to have my manuscripts +sent to the University of Berlin before my decease.<br> +<br> +I have selected thee, my dear Chamisso, to be the guardian of my wonderful +history, thinking that, when I have left this world, it may afford valuable +instruction to the living. As for thee, Chamisso, if thou wouldst +live amongst thy fellow-creatures, learn to value thy shadow more than +gold; if thou wouldst only live to thyself and thy nobler part - in +this thou needest no counsel.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +APPENDIX.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +[<i>From the prefatory matter prefixed to time Berlin edition, </i>1839, +<i>from which the present translation is made</i>.]<br> +<br> +<br> +PREFACE BY THE EDITOR.<br> +<br> +<br> +The origin of “Peter Schlemihl” is to be ascribed in a great +degree to circumstances that occurred in the life of the writer. +During the eventful year of 1813, when the movement broke out which +ultimately freed Germany from the yoke of her oppressor, and precipitated +his downfall, Chamisso was in Berlin. Everyone who could wield +a sword hastened then to employ it on behalf of Germany and of the good +cause. Chamisso had not only a powerful arm, but a heart also +of truly German mould; and yet he was placed in a situation so peculiar +as to isolate him among millions. As he was of French parentage, +the question was, not merely whether he should fight on behalf of Germany, +but, also, whether he should fight against the people with whom he was +connected by the ties of blood and family relationship. Hence +arose a struggle in his breast. “I, and I alone, am forbidden +at this juncture to wield a sword!” Such was frequently +his exclamation; and instead of meeting with sympathy on account of +his peculiar situation, he was frequently doomed to hear, in the capital +of Prussia, the head-quarters of the confederation against France and +Napoleon, expressions of hatred and scorn directed against his countrymen. +He was himself too equitable to mistake the cause of such expressions, +which were perfectly natural under the circumstances, but they nevertheless +deeply afflicted him when they reached his ears. In this state +of things his friends resolved to remove him from such a scene of excitement, +and to place him amid the quiet scenery of the country. An asylum +was offered him in the family of Count Itzenplitsch, where he was sufficiently +near to become acquainted with the gradual development of the all-important +crisis, and yet free from any unpleasant personal contact with it. +Here, at the family-seat of Cunersdorf, scarcely a day’s journey +from Berlin, wholly devoted to botany and other favourite pursuits, +Chamisso conceived the idea of “Peter Schlemihl,” and with +rapid pen finished off the story. Chamisso’s letters of +this date (in the first volume of his Life, by the writer of this notice) +afford evidence of this.<br> +<br> +The first edition of the incomparable story appeared in 1814, with a +dedication dated May 27, 1813; and it was just beginning to be known +in the world at the commencement of 1815, when the author left Germany +on a voyage round the world, of which the story contains a remarkable +anticipation. “Peter Schlemihl” was his parting salutation +to his second fatherland, and the first foundation-stone of his future +fame.<br> +<br> +Chamisso was often pestered with questions respecting what he really +meant by the story of Schlemihl. These questions amused as well +as annoyed him. The truth is, that his intention in writing it +was perhaps scarcely of so precise a nature as to admit of his giving +a formal account of it. The story sprang into being of itself, +like every work of genius, prompted by a self-creating power. +In a letter to the writer of this notice, after he had just commenced +the story, he says, “A book was the last thing you would have +expected from me! Place it before your wife this evening, if you +have time; should she be desirous to know Schlemihl’s further +adventures, and particularly who the man in the grey cloak is - send +me back the MS. immediately, that I may continue the story; but if you +do not return it, I shall know the meaning of the signal perfectly.” +Is it possible for any writer to submit himself to the scrutiny of the +public more good-naturedly?<br> +<br> +In the preface to the new French translation (which appeared in 1838) +of this story, Chamisso amuses himself in his own peculiar way, over +the prying curiosity of those who want to know what his real object +was in writing this tale: - “The present story,” he says, +“has fallen into the hands of thoughtful people, who, being accustomed +to read only for instruction’s sake, have been at a loss to know +what the shadow signifies. On this point several have formed curious +hypotheses; others, who do me the honour to believe that I am more learned +than I really am, have addressed themselves to me for the solution of +their doubts. The questions with which they have besieged me have +made me blush on account of my ignorance. I have therefore been +induced to devote myself to the investigation of a matter not hitherto +the subject of my studies; and I now beg to submit to the world the +result of my learned researches.<br> +<br> +“‘<i>Concerning Shadows</i>. - A dark body can only be partially +illuminated by a bright one. The dark space which lies in the +direction of the unilluminated part is what we call a <i>shadow</i>. +Properly speaking, shadow signifies a bodily space, the form of which +depends upon the form of the illuminating body, and upon their opposite +position with regard to each other. The shadow thrown on a surface, +situated before the shadow-projecting body, is, therefore, nothing else +than the intersection of this surface by the bodily space (in French, +<i>le solide, </i>on which word <i>solid </i>the whole force of the +humour turns), which we before designated by the word shadow.’<br> +<br> +“The question in this wonderful history of Peter Schlemihl relates +entirely to the last-mentioned quality, <i>solidity</i>. The science +of finance instructs us sufficiently as to the value of money: the value +of a shadow is less generally acknowledged. My thoughtless friend +was covetous of money, of which he knew the value, and forgot to think +on solid substance. It was his wish that the lesson which he had +paid for so dearly should be turned to our profit; and his bitter experience +calls to us with a loud voice, Think on the solid - the substantial!” +So far Chamisso.<br> +<br> +“Peter Schlemihl” has been translated into almost all the +languages of Europe. Of the Dutch, Spanish, and Russian translations +we do not possess any copies. The French and Italian are as follows:-<br> +<br> +<i>Pierre Schlemihl. Paris, chez Ladvocat, </i>1822. - This was +revised by Chamisso in manuscript, who added a preface to it; but the +translation was afterwards capriciously altered by the same publisher.<br> +<br> +<i>Un Roman du Poète Allemand contemporain, Adelbert de Chamisso; +traduit par N. Martin. Histoire merveilleuse de Pierre Schlemihl. +Dunquerque, </i>1837. - At the end the translator has added a letter +to a friend, with the Greek motto, “Life is the dream of a shadow.” +The translator, while laughing in this letter at the Germans, who, he +says, ought to write three folio volumes of explanatory notes on the +little volume, falls into the error of being very diffuse himself in +the attempt to elucidate his author. His long letter concludes +not inappropriately with these words: “I have just observed, although +certainly rather late, that I have written a letter full of shadows, +and instead of lighting a torch to illuminate the darkness, have, I +fear, only deepened the gloom. Should this be the case, the reader +at any rate will not withhold from me the praise of having preserved +the colours of the original.”<br> +<br> +<i>Merveilleuse Histoire de Pierre Schlemihl. Enrichie d’une +savente préface, où les curieux pourront apprendre ce +que c’est que l’ombre. Paris et Nurnberg, </i>1838. +<i>With illustrations. -</i> This translation was revised by Chamisso.<br> +<br> +<i>L’Uomo senz’ Ombra. Dono di simpatia al gentil +sesso. Milano, </i>1838. Published as an Annual, with a +Calendar, and Engravings. - The editor is pleased not only to withhold +the author’s name, but manages so to word his own preface as to +lead his readers to conclude that he himself is the author of the book.<br> +<br> +“Schlemihl” was also brought on the stage, but without giving +the honours of authorship to the true source. This took place +at Vienna, in February, 1819. The announcement ran thus:- “Pulzlivizli, +or the Man without a Shadow: a comic, enchanted drama, in three acts, +adapted from De la Motte Fouqué, by Ferdinand Rosenau.” +Among the characters were the grey man, and a certain Albert, probably +intended for Schlemihl. Of the contents of the piece we know nothing.<br> +<br> +In England two editions have appeared [previous to the present, - <i>Tr</i>.]; +one of which was reprinted at Boston in 1825. Of the popularity +of “Peter Schlemihl” in Great Britain we have a striking +proof, from a caricature that appeared shortly after the coronation +of William IV. On the celebration of this solemnity, a brother +of the King - the Duke of Cumberland - arrived from the Continent to +be present on the occasion; and as he was well known to be an ardent +Tory, his reception on the part of the people was not of the most flattering +description. As a consequence of this, and owing, perhaps, to +an expression that fell from the Duke, that “popularity is only +a shadow,” the caricature made its appearance. In the foreground +of the print is seen a striking likeness of the royal Duke in the costume +of the Order of the Garter. On his right stands the King, with +the crown on his head, and reflecting a goodly shadow on the wall. +Between the King and his brother are some courtiers, who exclaim, in +a tone of commiseration, “Lost, or stolen, a gentleman’s +shadow.” At the bottom of the print is the following inscription:-<br> +<br> +“PETER SCHLEMIHL AT THE CORONATION.<br> +<br> +Granted that popularity is nothing but a shadow, it is still far from +pleasant to be without that shadow.”<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +BRIEF SKETCH OF CHAMISSO’S LIFE.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +Louis Adelbert de Chamisso was born January 27, 1781, at Beaucourt, +in Champagne. At the Revolution, he left France with his parents, +and came to Berlin, where, in 1796, he was appointed page to the King, +and soon after had a commission given him in the army. He applied +himself with much ardour to acquire the German language, and felt great +interest in the study of its literature, particularly its poetry and +philosophy, and was most attracted by those writers whose character +presented the greatest contrast to that of his own countrymen. +By intercourse with the learned, and by the friendships which he formed, +he soon became thoroughly German, which he proved by his poems, which +were distinguished above the crowd of such compositions by the originality +of their style, and peculiar vigour. From 1804 to 1806 he published +the “Almanack of the Muses,” in conjunction with Varnhagen +von Ense. At the peace of Tilsit he left the army, and visited +France, when his family obtained back part of their possessions. +At this time he held, for a short period, a situation as Professor at +the school of Napoleonville, but soon returned to Germany, devoting +himself wholly to a literary life, and in particular to the study of +natural history. During his visit to France, he spent some time +with Madame de Staël, whom he also visited in Switzerland. +In 1811 he returned to Berlin; and in 1813 he wrote his “Peter +Schlemihl,” which marked him out as a man of distinguished and +original genius. It was published in 1814 by his friend Fouqué. +When Count Runnjanzow resolved on undertaking a voyage round the world, +he invited Chamisso to accompany him as naturalist to the expedition +- an invitation which he gladly embraced. The ships left Cronstadt +in 1815, and returned in 1818; and although the discovery of a North-West +passage - the great object of the expedition - was not attained, yet +extensive acquisitions were made in every department of scientific research. +Chamisso’s share in the voyage is recorded in the third volume +of the account of it published at Weimar in 1821, and does honour to +his spirit of careful observation and his accuracy. He now again +fixed his residence at Berlin, from whose university he received the +degree of doctor in philosophy. An appointment at the Botanic +Garden allowed him full liberty to follow up his favourite pursuit of +natural history, and bound him by still stronger ties to his second +fatherland. He now wrote an account of the principal plants of +the North of Germany, with views respecting the vegetable kingdom and +the science of botany: this work appeared at Berlin in 1827. Poetry, +however, had still some share of his attention; and he continued, during +the latter years of his life, to maintain his claims to an honourable +place among the poets of Germany. Several of his ballads and romances +rank with the most distinguished of modern times in this branch of composition. +Surrounded by a circle of attached and admiring friends, Chamisso continued +thus entirely engaged till his death, in 1839, leaving behind him a +name and works which posterity “will not willingly let perish.”<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +FROM THE BARON DE LA MOTTE FOUQUÉ TO JULIUS EDWARD HITZIG.<br> +[<i>From the first edition</i>.]<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +We should take care, my dear Edward, not to expose the history of poor +Schlemihl to eyes unfit to look upon it. That would be a bad experiment. +Of such eyes there are plenty; and who is able to predict what may befal +a <i>manuscript, </i>which is almost more difficult to guard than spoken +language? Like a person seized with vertigo, therefore, who, in +the paroxysm of his feelings, leaps into the abyss, I commit the story +to the press.<br> +<br> +And yet there are better and more serious reasons for the step I have +taken. If I am not wholly deceived, there are in our dear Germany +many hearts both capable and worthy of comprehending poor Schlemihl, +although a smile will arise on the countenance of many among our honest +countrymen at the bitter sport which was death to him and to the innocent +being whom he drew along with him. And you, Edward, when you have +seen the estimable work, and reflected on the number of unknown and +sympathising bosoms who, with ourselves, will learn to love it, - you +will, then, perhaps, feel that some drops of consolation have been instilled +into those wounds inflicted on you, and on all who love you, by death.<br> +<br> +To conclude: I have become convinced, by repeated experience, that a +guardian angel watches over books, places them in proper hands, and +if not always, yet often, prevents them from falling into improper. +In any case, he exercises an invisible guardianship over every work +of true genius and genuine feeling, and with unfailing tact and skill +opens or shuts its pages as he sees fit.<br> +<br> +To this guardian angel I commit our “Schlemihl.” And +so, adieu! FOUQUÉ.<br> +<br> +<i>Neunhausen</i>, <i>May</i>, 1814.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +THE STORY WITHOUT AN END<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +TO MY DAUGHTER<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +My Dear Child,<br> +<br> +The story you love so much in German I dedicate to you in English. +It was in compliance with your earnest wish that other children might +share the delight it has so often afforded you, that I translated it; +so that it is, in some sort, yours of right. Let us hope that +your confident expectations of sympathy in your pleasure may not be +disappointed; or that, if others think the story less beautiful than +you do, they may find compensation in the graceful designs it has inspired.<br> +<br> +You have often regretted that it left off so soon, and would, I believe, +“have been glad to hear more and more, and for ever.” +The continuation you have longed for lies in a wide and magnificent +book, which contains more wonderful and glorious things than all our +favourite fairy tales put together. But to read in that book, +so as to discover all its beautiful meanings, you must have pure, clear +eyes, and an humble, loving heart; otherwise you will complain, as some +do, that it is dim and puzzling; or, as others that it is dull and monotonous.<br> +<br> +May you continue to read in it with new curiosity, new delight, and +new profit; and to find it, as long as you live, the untiring “Story +without an End.”<br> +<br> +Your affectionate mother,<br> +S. A.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER I.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +There was once a Child who lived in a little hut, and in the hut there +was nothing but a little bed and a looking-glass which hung in a dark +corner. Now the Child cared nothing at all about the looking-glass; +but as soon as the first sunbeam glided softly through the casement, +and kissed his sweet eyelids, and the finch and the linnet waked him +merrily with their morning songs, he arose, and went out into the green +meadow. And he begged flour of the primrose, and sugar of the +violet, and butter of the buttercup; he shook dewdrops from the cowslip +into the cup of a harebell; spread out a large lime-leaf, set his little +breakfast upon it, and feasted daintily. Sometimes he invited +a humming-bee, oftener a gay butterfly, to partake his feast; but his +favourite guest was the blue dragon-fly. The bee murmured a good +deal, in a solemn tone, about his riches; but the Child thought that +if he were a bee, heaps of treasure would not make him gay and happy; +and that it must be much more delightful and glorious to float about +in the free and fresh breezes of spring, and to hum joyously in the +web of the sunbeams, than, with heavy feet and heavy heart, to stow +the silver wax and the golden honey into cells.<br> +<br> +To this the Butterfly assented; and he told how once on a time, he too +had been greedy and sordid; how he had thought of nothing but eating, +and had never once turned his eyes upwards to the blue heavens. +At length, however, a complete change had come over him; and instead +of crawling spiritless about the dirty earth, half dreaming, he all +at once awaked as out of a deep sleep. And now he would rise into +the air; - and it was his greatest joy sometimes to play with the light, +and to reflect the heavens in the bright eyes of his wings; sometimes +to listen to the soft language of the flowers, and catch their secrets. +Such talk delighted the Child, and his breakfast was the sweeter to +him, and the sunshine on leaf and flower seemed to him more bright and +cheering.<br> +<br> +But when the Bee had flown off to beg from flower to flower, and the +Butterfly had fluttered away to his playfellows, the Dragon-fly still +remained, poised on a blade of grass. Her slender and burnished +body, more brightly and deeply blue than the deep blue sky, glistened +in the sun beam; and her net-like wings laughed at the flowers because +<i>they </i>could not fly, but must stand still and abide the wind and +the rain. The Dragon-fly sipped a little of the Child’s +clear dew-drops and blue violet-honey, and then whispered her winged +words. And the Child made an end of his repast, closed his dark +blue eyes, bent down his beautiful head, and listened to the sweet prattle.<br> +<br> +<br> +Then the Dragon-fly told much of the merry life in the green wood; how +sometimes she played hide-and-seek with her playfellows under the broad +leaves of the oak and the beech trees; or hunt-the-hare along the surface +of the still waters; sometimes quietly watched the sunbeams, as they +flew busily from moss to flower and from flower to bush, and shed life +and warmth over all. But at night, she said, the moonbeams glided +softly around the wood, and dropped dew into the mouths of all the thirsty +plants; and when the dawn pelted the slumberers with the soft roses +of heaven, some of the half-drunken flowers looked up and smiled; but +most of them could not so much as raise their heads for a long, long +time.<br> +<br> +Such stories did the Dragon-fly tell; and as the Child sat motionless +with his eyes shut, and his head rested on his little hand, she thought +he had fallen asleep; so she poised her double wings and flew into the +rustling wood.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER II.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +But the Child was only sunk into a dream of delight, and was wishing +<i>he </i>were a sunbeam or a moonbeam; and he would have been glad +to hear more and more, and for ever. But at last, as all was still, +he opened his eyes and looked around for his dear guest; but she was +flown far away; so he could not bear to sit there any longer alone, +and he rose and went to the gurgling brook. It gushed and rolled +so merrily, and tumbled so wildly along as it hurried to throw itself +head over heels into the river, just as if the great massy rock out +of which it sprang were close behind it, and could only be escaped by +a break-neck leap.<br> +<br> +Then the Child began to talk to the little waves, and asked them whence +they came. They would not stay to give him an answer, but danced +away, one over another; till at last, that the sweet Child might not +be grieved, a drop of water stopped behind a piece of rock. From +her the Child heard strange histories, but he could not understand them +all, for she told him about her former life, and about the depths of +the mountain.<br> +<br> +“A long while ago,” said the Drop of Water, “I lived +with my countless sisters in the great ocean, in peace and unity. +We had all sorts of pastimes; sometimes we mounted up high into the +air, and peeped at the stars; then we sank plump down deep below, and +looked how the coral builders work till they are tired, that they may +reach the light of day at last. But I was conceited, and thought +myself much better than my sisters. And so one day, when the sun +rose out of the sea, I clung fast to one of his hot beams, and thought +that now I should reach the stars, and become one of them. But +I had not ascended far, when the sunbeam shook me off, and in spite +of all I could say or do, let me fall into a dark cloud. And soon +a flash of fire darted through the cloud, and now I thought I must surely +die; but the whole cloud laid itself down softly upon the top of a mountain, +and so I escaped with my fright, and a black eye. Now I thought +I should remain hidden, when all on a sudden I slipped over a round +pebble, fell from one stone to another, down into the depths of the +mountain, till at last it was pitch dark, and I could neither see nor +hear anything. Then I found, indeed, that ‘pride goeth before +a fall,’ resigned myself to my fate, and, as I had already laid +aside all my unhappy pride in the cloud, my portion was now the salt +of humility; and after undergoing many purifications from the hidden +virtues of metals and minerals, I was at length permitted to come up +once more into the free cheerful air; and now will I run back to my +sisters, and there wait patiently till I am called to something better.”<br> +<br> +But hardly had she done when the root of a forget-me-not caught the +drop of water by her hair and sucked her in, that she might become a +floweret, and twinkle brightly as a blue star on the green firmament +of earth.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER III.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +The Child did not very well know what to think of all this: he went +thoughtfully home and laid himself on his little bed; and all night +long he was wandering about on the ocean, and among the stars, and over +the dark mountain. But the moon loved to look on the slumbering +Child as he lay with his little head softly pillowed on his right arm. +She lingered a long time before his little window, and went slowly away +to lighten the dark chamber of some sick person.<br> +<br> +As the moon’s soft light lay on the Child’s eyelids, he +fancied he sat in a golden boat, on a great, great water; countless +stars swam glittering on the dark mirror. He stretched out his +hand to catch the nearest star, but it had vanished, and the water sprayed +up against him. Then he saw clearly that these were not the real +stars; he looked up to heaven, and wished he could fly thither.<br> +<br> +But in the meantime the moon had wandered on her way; and now the Child +was led in his dream into the clouds, and he thought he was sitting +on a white sheep, and he saw many lambs grazing around him. He +tried to catch a little lamb to play with, but it was all mist and vapour; +and the Child was sorrowful, and wished himself down again in his own +meadow, where his own lamb was sporting gaily about.<br> +<br> +Meanwhile the moon was gone to sleep behind the mountains, and all around +was dark. Then the Child dreamt that he fell down into the dark, +gloomy caverns of the mountain, and at that he was so frightened, that +he suddenly awoke, just as morning opened her clear eye over the nearest +hill.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER IV.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +The Child started up, and, to recover himself from his fright, went +into the little flower-garden behind his cottage, where the beds were +surrounded by ancient palm-trees, and where he knew that all the flowers +would nod kindly at him. But, behold, the Tulip turned up her +nose, and the Ranunculus held her head as stiffly as possible, that +she might not bow good-morrow to him. The Rose, with her fair +round cheeks, smiled and greeted the Child lovingly; so he went up to +her and kissed her fragrant mouth. And then the Rose tenderly +complained that he so seldom came into the garden, and that she gave +out her bloom and her fragrance the live-long day in vain; for the other +flowers could not see her, because they were too low, or did not care +to look at her, because they themselves were so rich in bloom and fragrance. +But she was most delighted when she glowed in the blooming head of a +child, and could pour out all her heart’s secrets to him in sweet +odours. Among other things, the Rose whispered in his ear that +she was the fulness of beauty.<br> +<br> +And in truth the Child, while looking at her beauty, seemed to have +quite forgotten to go on; till the Blue Larkspur called to him, and +asked whether he cared nothing more about his faithful friend; she said +that she was unchanged, and that even in death she should look upon +him with eyes of unfading blue.<br> +<br> +The Child thanked her for her true-heartedness, and passed on to the +Hyacinth, who stood near the puffy, full-cheeked, gaudy Tulips. +Even from a distance the Hyacinth sent forth kisses to him, for she +knew not how to express her love. Although she was not remarkable +for her beauty, yet the Child felt himself wondrously attracted by her, +for he thought no flower loved him so well. But the Hyacinth poured +out her full heart and wept bitterly, because she stood so lonely; the +Tulips indeed were her countrymen, but they were so cold and unfeeling +that she was ashamed of them. The Child encouraged her, and told +her he did not think things were so bad as she fancied. The Tulips +spoke their love in bright looks, while she uttered hers in fragrant +words; that these, indeed, were lovelier and more intelligible, but +that the others were not to be despised.<br> +<br> +Then the Hyacinth was comforted, and said she would be content; and +the Child went on to the powdered Auricula, who, in her bashfulness, +looked kindly up to him, and would gladly have given him more than kind +looks, had she had more to give. But the Child was satisfied with +her modest greeting; he felt that he was poor too, and he saw the deep, +thoughtful colours that lay beneath her golden dust. But the humble +flower, of her own accord, sent him to her neighbour, the Lily, whom +she willingly acknowledged as her queen. And when the Child came +to the Lily, the slender flower waved to and fro and bowed her pale +head with gentle pride and stately modesty, and sent forth a fragrant +greeting to him. The Child knew not what had come to him: it reached +his inmost heart, so that his eyes filled with soft tears. Then +he marked how the lily gazed with a clear and steadfast eye upon the +sun, and how the sun looked down again into her pure chalice, and how, +amid this interchange of looks, the three golden threads united in the +centre. And the Child heard how one scarlet Lady-bird at the bottom +of the cup said to another, “Knowest thou not that we dwell in +the flower of heaven?” and the other replied, “Yes; and +now will the mystery be fulfilled.” And as the Child saw +and heard all this, the dim image of his unknown parents, as it were +veiled in a holy light, floated before his eyes: he strove to grasp +it, but the light was gone, and the Child slipped, and would have fallen, +had not the branch of a currant bush caught and held him; and he took +some of the bright berries for his morning’s meal, and went back +to his hut and stripped the little branches.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER V.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +But in the hut he stayed not long, all was so gloomy, close, and silent +within, and abroad everything seemed to smile, and to exult in the clear +and unbounded space. Therefore the Child went out into the green +wood, of which the Dragon-fly had told him such pleasant stories. +But he found everything far more beautiful and lovely even than she +had described it; for all about, wherever he went, the tender moss pressed +his little feet, and the delicate grass embraced his knees, and the +flowers kissed his hands, and even the branches stroked his cheeks with +a kind and refreshing touch, and the high trees threw their fragrant +shade around him.<br> +<br> +There was no end to his delight. The little birds warbled and +sang, and fluttered and hopped about, and the delicate wood-flowers +gave out their beauty and their odours; and every sweet sound took a +sweet odour by the hand, and thus walked through the open door of the +Child’s heart, and held a joyous nuptial dance therein. +But the Nightingale and the Lily of the Valley led the dance; for the +Nightingale sang of nought but love, and the Lily breathed of nought +but innocence, and he was the bridegroom and she was the bride. +And the Nightingale was never weary of repeating the same thing a hundred +times over, for the spring of love which gushed from his heart was ever +new - and the Lily bowed her head bashfully, that no one might see her +glowing heart. And yet the one lived so solely and entirely in +the other, that no one could see whether the notes of the Nightingale +were floating lilies, or the lilies visible notes, falling like dewdrops +from the Nightingale’s throat.<br> +<br> +The Child’s heart was full of joy even to the brim. He set +himself down, and he almost thought he should like to take root there, +and live for ever among the sweet plants and flowers, and so become +a true sharer in all their gentle pleasures. For he felt a deep +delight in the still, secluded, twilight existence of the mosses and +small herbs, which felt not the storm, nor the frost, nor the scorching +sunbeam; but dwelt quietly among their many friends and neighbours, +feasting in peace and good fellowship on the dew and cool shadows which +the mighty trees shed upon them. To them it was a high festival +when a sunbeam chanced to visit their lowly home; whilst the tops of +the lofty trees could find joy and beauty only in the purple rays of +morning or evening.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER VI.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +And as the Child sat there, a little Mouse rustled from among the dry +leaves of the former year, and a Lizard half glided from a crevice in +the rock, and both of them fixed their bright eyes upon the little stranger; +and when they saw that he designed them no evil, they took courage and +came nearer to him.<br> +<br> +“I should like to live with you,” said the Child to the +two little creatures, in a soft, subdued voice, that he might not frighten +them. “Your chambers are so snug, so warm, and yet so shaded, +and the flowers grow in at your windows, and the birds sing you their +morning song, and call you to table and to bed with their clear warblings.”<br> +<br> +“Yes,” said the Mouse, “it would be all very well +if all the plants bore nuts and mast, instead of those silly flowers; +and if I were not obliged to grub under ground in the spring, and gnaw +the bitter roots, whilst they are dressing themselves in their fine +flowers and flaunting it to the world, as if they had endless stores +of honey in their cellars.”<br> +<br> +“Hold your tongue,” interrupted the Lizard, pertly; “do +you think, because you are grey, that other people must throw away their +handsome clothes, or let them lie in the dark wardrobe under ground, +and wear nothing but grey too? I am not so envious. The +flowers may dress themselves as they like for me; they pay for it out +of their own pockets, and they feed bees and beetles from their cups; +but what I want to know is, of what use are birds in the world? +Such a fluttering and chattering, truly, from morning early to evening +late, that one is worried and stunned to death, and there is never a +day’s peace for them. And they do nothing; only snap up +the flies and the spiders out of the mouths of such as I. For +my part, I should be perfectly satisfied, provided all the birds in +the world were flies and beetles.”<br> +<br> +The Child changed colour, and his heart was sick and saddened when he +heard their evil tongues. He could not imagine how anybody could +speak ill of the beautiful flowers, or scoff at his beloved birds. +He was waked out of a sweet dream, and the wood seemed to him lonely +and desert, and he was ill at ease. He started up hastily, so +that the Mouse and the Lizard shrank back alarmed, and did not look +around them till they thought themselves safe out of the reach of the +stranger with the large, severe eyes.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER VII.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +But the Child went away from the place; and as he hung down his head +thoughtfully, he did not observe that he took the wrong path, nor see +how the flowers on either side bowed their heads to welcome him, nor +hear how the old birds from the boughs, and the young from the nests, +cried aloud to him, “God bless thee, our dear little prince!” +And he went on and on, farther and farther, into the deep wood; and +he thought over the foolish and heartless talk of the two selfish chatterers, +and could not understand it. He would fain have forgotten it, +but he could not. And the more he pondered, the more it seemed +to him as if a malicious spider had spun her web around him, and as +if his eyes were weary with trying to look through it.<br> +<br> +And suddenly he came to a still water, above which young beeches lovingly +entwined their arms. He looked in the water, and his eyes were +riveted to it as if by enchantment. He could not move, but stood +and gazed in the soft, placid mirror, from the bosom of which the tender +green foliage, with the deep blue heavens between, gleamed so wondrously +upon him. His sorrow was all forgotten, and even the echo of the +discord in his little heart was hushed. That heart was once more +in his eyes; and fain would he have drunk in the soft beauty of the +colours that lay beneath him, or have plunged into the lovely deep.<br> +<br> +Then the breeze began to sigh among the treetops. The Child raised +his eyes and saw overhead the quivering green, and the deep blue behind +it, and he knew not whether he were waking or dreaming: which were the +real leaves and the real heaven - those in the depths above or in the +depths beneath? Long did the Child waver, and his thoughts floated +in a delicious dreaminess from one to the other, till the Dragon-fly +flew to him in affectionate haste, and with rustling wings greeted her +kind host. The Child returned her greeting, and was glad to meet +an acquaintance with whom he could share the rich feast of his joy. +But first he asked the Dragon-fly if she could decide for him between +the Upper and the Nether - the height and the depth? The Dragon-fly +flew above, and beneath, and around; but the Water spake:- “The +foliage and the sky above are not the true ones: the leaves wither and +fall; the sky is often overcast, and sometimes quite dark.” +Then the Leaves and the Sky said, “The water only apes us; it +must change its pictures at our pleasure, and can retain none.” +Then the Dragon-fly remarked that the height and the depth existed only +in the eyes of the Child, and that the Leaves and the Sky were true +and real only in his thoughts; because in the mind alone the picture +was permanent and enduring, and could be carried with him whithersoever +he went.<br> +<br> +This she said to the Child; but she immediately warned him to return, +for the leaves were already beating the tattoo in the evening breeze, +and the lights were disappearing one by one in every corner. Then +the Child confessed to her with alarm that he knew not how he should +find the way back, and that he feared the dark night would overtake +him if he attempted to go home alone; so the Dragon-fly flew on before +him, and showed him a cave in the rock where he might pass the night.<br> +<br> +And the Child was well content; for he had often wished to try if he +could sleep out of his accustomed bed.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER VIII.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +But the Dragon-fly was fleet, and gratitude strengthened her wings to +pay her host the honour she owed him. And truly, in the dim twilight +good counsel and guidance were scarce. She flitted hither and +thither without knowing rightly what was to be done; when, by the last +vanishing sunbeam, she saw hanging on the edge of the cave some strawberries +who had drunk so deep of the evening-red, that their heads were quite +heavy. Then she flew up to a Harebell who stood near, and whispered +in her ear that the lord and king of all the flowers was in the wood, +and ought to be received and welcomed as beseemed his dignity. +Aglaia did not need that this should be repeated. She began to +ring her sweet bells with all her might; and when her neighbour heard +the sound, she rang hers also; and soon all the Harebells, great and +small, were in motion, and rang as if it had been for the nuptials of +their Mother Earth herself with the Prince of the Sun. The tone +of the Bluebells was deep and rich, and that of the white, high and +clear, and all blended together in a delicious harmony.<br> +<br> +But the birds were fast asleep in their high nests, and the ears of +the other animals were not delicate enough, or were too much overgrown +with hair, to hear them. The Fire-flies alone heard the joyous +peal, for they were akin to the flowers, through their common ancestor, +Light. They inquired of their nearest relation, the Lily of the +Valley, and from her they heard that a large flower had just passed +along the footpath more blooming than the loveliest rose, and with two +stars more brilliant than those of the brightest fire-fly, and that +it must needs be their King. Then all the Fire-flies flew up and +down the footpath, and sought everywhere, till at length they came, +as the Dragon-fly had hoped they would, to the cave.<br> +<br> +And now, as they looked at the Child, and every one of them saw itself +reflected in his clear eyes, they rejoiced exceedingly, and called all +their fellows together, and alighted on the bushes all around; and soon +it was so light in the cave, that herb and grass began to grow as if +it had been broad day. Now, indeed, was the joy and triumph of +the Dragon-fly complete. The Child was delighted with the merry +and silvery tones of the bells, and with the many little bright-eyed +companions around him, and with the deep red strawberries which bowed +down their heads to his touch.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER IX.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +And when he had eaten his fill, he sat down on the soft moss, crossed +one little leg over the other, and began to gossip with the Fire-flies. +And as he so often thought on his unknown parents, he asked them who +were their parents. Then the one nearest to him gave him answer; +and he told how that they were formerly flowers, but none of those who +thrust their rooty hands greedily into the ground and draw nourishment +from the dingy earth, only to make themselves fat and large withal; +but that the light was dearer to them than anything, even at night; +and while the other flowers slept, they gazed unwearied on the light, +and drank it in with eager adoration - sun, and moon, and star light. +And the light had so thoroughly purified them, that they had not sucked +in poisonous juices like the yellow flowers of the earth, but sweet +odours for sick and fainting hearts, and oil of potent ethereal virtue +for the weak and the wounded; and at length, when their autumn came, +they did not, like the others, wither and sink down, leaf and flower, +to be swallowed up by the darksome earth, but shook off their earthly +garment and mounted aloft, into the clear air. But there it was +so wondrously bright, that sight failed them; and when they came to +themselves again, they were fire-flies, each sitting on a withered flower-stalk.<br> +<br> +And now the Child liked the bright-eyed flies better than ever; and +he talked a little longer with them, and inquired why they showed themselves +so much more in spring. They did it, they said, in the hope that +their gold-green radiance might allure their cousins, the flowers, to +the pure love of light.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER X.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +During this conversation the dragon-fly had been preparing a bed for +her host. The moss upon which the Child sat had grown a foot high +behind his back, out of pure joy; but the dragon-fly and her sisters +had so revelled upon it, that it was now laid at its length along the +cave. The dragon-fly had awakened every spider in the neighbourhood +out of her sleep, and when they saw the brilliant light, they had set +to work spinning so industriously that their web hung down like a curtain +before the mouth of the cave. But as the Child saw the ant peeping +up at him, he entreated the fire-flies not to deprive themselves any +longer of their merry games in the wood on his account. And the +dragon-fly and her sisters raised the curtain till the Child had laid +him down to rest, and then let it fall again, that the mischievous gnats +might not get in to disturb his slumbers.<br> +<br> +The Child laid himself down to sleep, for he was very tired; but he +could not sleep, for his couch of moss was quite another thing than +his little bed, and the cave was all strange to him.<br> +<br> +He turned himself on one side and then on the other, and, as nothing +would do, he raised himself and sat upright to wait till sleep might +choose to come. But sleep would not come at all; and the only +wakeful eyes in the whole wood were the Child’s. For the +harebells had rung themselves weary, and the fire-flies had flown about +till they were tired, and even the dragon-fly, who would fain have kept +watch in front of the cave, had dropped sound asleep.<br> +<br> +The wood grew stiller and stiller; here and there fell a dry leaf which +had been driven from its old dwelling place by a fresh one; here and +there a young bird gave a soft chirp when its mother squeezed it in +the nest; and from time to time a gnat hummed for a minute or two in +the curtain, till a spider crept on tip-toe along its web, and gave +him such a gripe in the wind-pipe as soon spoiled his trumpeting.<br> +<br> +And the deeper the silence became, the more intently did the Child listen, +and at last the slightest sound thrilled him from head to foot. +At length, all was still as death in the wood; and the world seemed +as if it never would wake again. The Child bent forward to see +whether it were as dark abroad as in the cave, but he saw nothing save +the pitch-dark night, who had wrapped everything in her thick veil. +Yet as he looked upwards his eyes met the friendly glance of two or +three stars, and this was a most joyful surprise to him, for he felt +himself no longer so entirely alone. The stars were, indeed, far, +far away, but yet he knew them, and they knew him; for they looked into +his eyes.<br> +<br> +The Child’s whole soul was fixed in his gaze; and it seemed to +him as if he must needs fly out of the darksome cave, thither where +the stars were beaming with such pure and serene light; and he felt +how poor and lowly he was, when he thought of their brilliancy; and +how cramped and fettered, when he thought of their free unbounded course +along the heavens.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER XI.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +But the stars went on their course, and left their glittering picture +only a little while before the Child’s eyes. Even this faded, +and then vanished quite away. And he was beginning to feel tired, +and to wish to lay himself down again, when a flickering Will-o’-the-wisp +appeared from behind a bush - so that the Child thought, at first, one +of the stars had wandered out of its way, and had come to visit him, +and to take him with it. And the Child breathed quick with joy +and surprise, and then the Will-o’-the-wisp came nearer, and sat +himself down on a damp mossy stone in front of the cave, and another +fluttered quickly after him, and sat down over against him and sighed +deeply, “Thank God, then, that I can rest at last!”<br> +<br> +“Yes,” said the other, “for that you may thank the +innocent Child who sleeps there within; it was his pure breath that +freed us.”<br> +<br> +“Are you, then,” said the Child, hesitatingly, “not +of yon stars which wander so brightly there above?”<br> +<br> +“Oh, if we were stars,” replied the first, “we should +pursue our tranquil path through the pure element, and should leave +this wood and the whole darksome earth to itself.”<br> +<br> +“And not,” said the other, “sit brooding on the face +of the shallow pool.”<br> +<br> +The Child was curious to know who these could be who shone so beautifully, +and yet seemed so discontented. Then the first began to relate +how he had been a child too, and how, as he grew up, it had always been +his greatest delight to deceive people and play them tricks, to show +his wit and cleverness. He had always, he said, poured such a +stream of smooth words over people, and encompassed himself with such +a shining mist, that men had been attracted by it to their own hurt. +But once on a time there appeared a plain man, who only spoke two or +three simple words, and suddenly the bright mist vanished, and left +him naked and deformed, to the scorn and mockery of the whole world. +But the man had turned away his face from him in pity, while he was +almost dead with shame and anger. And when he came to himself +again, he knew not what had befallen him, till, at length, he found +that it was his fate to hover, without rest or change, over the surface +of the bog as a Will-o’-the-wisp.<br> +<br> +“With me it fell out quite otherwise,” said the first: “instead +of giving light without warmth, as I now do, I burned without shining. +When I was only a child, people gave way to me in everything, so that +I was intoxicated with self-love. If I saw any one shine, I longed +to put out his light; and the more intensely I wished this, the more +did my own small glimmering turn back upon myself, and inwardly burn +fiercely while all without was darker than ever. But if any one +who shone more brightly would have kindly given me of his light, then +did my inward flame burst forth to destroy him. But the flame +passed through the light and harmed it not; it shone only the more brightly, +while I was withered and exhausted. And once upon a time I met +a little smiling child, who played with a cross of palm branches, and +wore a beamy coronet around his golden locks. He took me kindly +by the hand and said, ‘My friend, you are now very gloomy and +sad, but if you will become a child again, even as I am, you will have +a bright circlet such as I have.’ When I heard that, I was +so angry with myself and with the child, that I was scorched by my inward +fire. Now would I fain fly up to the sun to fetch rays from him, +but the rays drove me back with these words:<br> +<br> +‘Return thither whence thou camest, thou dark fire of envy, for +the sun lightens only in love; the greedy earth, indeed, sometimes turns +his mild light into scorching fire. Fly back, then, for with thy +like alone must thou dwell.’ I fell, and when I recovered +myself I was glimmering coldly above the stagnant waters.”<br> +<br> +While they were talking the Child had fallen asleep, for he knew nothing +of the world nor of men, and he could make nothing of their stories. +Weariness had spoken a more intelligible language to him - <i>that</i> +he understood, and he had fallen asleep.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER XII.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +Softly and soundly he slept till the rosy morning clouds stood upon +the mountain, and announced the coming of their lord, the sun. +But as soon as the tidings spread over field and wood, the thousand-voiced +echo awoke, and sleep was no more to be thought of.<br> +<br> +And soon did the royal sun himself arise; at first his dazzling diadem +alone appeared above the mountains; at length he stood upon their summit +in the full majesty of his beauty, in all the charms of eternal youth, +bright and glorious, his kindly glance embracing every creature of earth, +from the stately oak to the blade of grass bending under the foot of +the wayfaring man. Then arose from every breast, from every throat, +the joyous song of praise; and it was as if the whole plain and wood +were become a temple, whose roof was the heaven, whose altar the mountain, +whose congregation all creatures, whose priest the sun.<br> +<br> +But the Child walked forth and was glad, for the birds sang sweetly, +and it seemed to him as if everything sported and danced out of mere +joy to be alive. Here flew two finches through the thicket, and, +twittering, pursued each other; there, the young buds burst asunder, +and the tender leaves peeped out and expanded themselves in the warm +sun, as if they would abide in his glance for ever; here, a dewdrop +trembled, sparkling and twinkling on a blade of grass, and knew not +that beneath him stood a little moss who was thirsting after him; there, +troops of flies flew aloft, as if they would soar far, far over the +wood: and so all was life and motion, and the Child’s heart joyed +to see it.<br> +<br> +He sat down on a little smooth plot of turf, shaded by the branches +of a nut-bush, and thought he should now sip the cup of his delight, +drop by drop. And first he plucked down some brambles which threatened +him with their prickles; then he bent aside some branches which concealed +the view; then he removed the stones, so that he might stretch out his +feet at full length on the soft turf; and when he had done all this, +he bethought himself what was yet to do; and as he found nothing, he +stood up to look for his acquaintance the dragon-fly, and to beg her +to guide him once more out of the wood into the open fields. About +midway he met her, and she began to excuse herself for having fallen +asleep in the night. The Child thought not of the past, were it +even but a minute ago, so earnestly did he now wish to get out from +among the thick and close trees; for his heart beat high, and he felt +as if he should breathe freer in the open ground. The dragon-fly +flew on before and showed him the way as far as the outermost verge +of the wood, whence the Child could espy his own little hut, and then +flew away to her playfellows.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER XIII.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +The Child walked forth alone upon the fresh dewy cornfield. A +thousand little suns glittered in his eyes, and a lark soared warbling +above his head. And the lark proclaimed the joys of the coming +year, and awakened endless hopes, while she soared circling higher and +higher, till, at length, her song was like the soft whisper of an angel +holding converse with the spring, under the blue arch of heaven. +The Child had seen the earth-coloured little bird rise up before him, +and it seemed to him as if the earth had sent her forth from her bosom +as a messenger to carry her joy and her thanks up to the sun, because +he had turned his beaming countenance again upon her in love and bounty. +And the lark hung poised above the hope-giving field, and warbled her +clear and joyous song.<br> +<br> +She sang of the loveliness of the rosy dawn, and the fresh brilliancy +of the earliest sunbeams; of the gladsome springing of the young flowers, +and the vigorous shooting of the corn; and her song pleased the Child +beyond measure.<br> +<br> +But the lark wheeled in higher and higher circles, and her song sounded +softer and sweeter.<br> +<br> +And now she sang of the first delights of early love; of wanderings +together on the sunny fresh hilltops, and of the sweet pictures and +visions that arise out of the blue and misty distance. The Child +understood not rightly what he heard, and fain would he have understood, +for he thought that even in such visions must be wondrous delight. +He gazed aloft after the unwearied bird, but she had disappeared in +the morning mist.<br> +<br> +Then the Child leaned his head on one shoulder to listen if he could +no longer hear the little messenger of spring; and he could just catch +the distant and quivering notes in which she sang of the fervent longing +after the clear element of freedom, after the pure all-present light, +and of the blessed foretaste of this desired enfranchisement, of this +blending in the sea of celestial happiness.<br> +<br> +Yet longer did he listen, for the tones of her song carried him there, +where, as yet, his thoughts had never reached, and he felt himself happier +in this short and imperfect flight than ever he had felt before. +But the lark now dropped suddenly to the earth, for her little body +was too heavy for the ambient ether, and her wings were not large nor +strong enough for the pure element.<br> +<br> +Then the red corn-poppies laughed at the homely looking bird, and cried +to one another and to the surrounding blades of corn in a shrill voice, +“Now, indeed, you may see what comes of flying so high, and striving +and straining after mere air; people only lose their time, and bring +back nothing but weary wings and an empty stomach. That vulgar-looking +ill-dressed little creature would fain raise herself above us all, and +has kept up a mighty noise. And now there she lies on the ground +and can hardly breathe, while we have stood still where we are sure +of a good meal, and have stayed, like people of sense, where there is +something substantial to be had; and in the time she has been fluttering +and singing, we have grown a good deal taller and fatter.”<br> +<br> +The other little redcaps chattered and screamed their assent so loud +that the Child’s ears tingled, and he wished he could chastise +them for their spiteful jeers; when a cyane said, in a soft voice, to +her younger playmates, “Dear friends, be not led astray by outward +show, nor by discourse which regards only outward show. The lark +is, indeed, weary, and the space into which she has soared is void; +but the void is not what the lark sought, nor is the seeker returned +empty home. She strove after light and freedom, and light and +freedom has she proclaimed. She left the earth and its enjoyments, +but she has drunk of the pure air of heaven, and has seen that it is +not the earth, but the sun that is steadfast. And if earth has +called her back, it can keep nothing of her but what is its own. +Her sweet voice and her soaring wings belong to the sun, and will enter +into light and freedom long after the foolish prater shall have sunk +and been buried in the dark prison of the earth.”<br> +<br> +And the lark heard her wise and friendly discourse, and with renewed +strength she sprang once more into the clear and beautiful blue.<br> +<br> +Then the Child clapped his little hands for joy, that the sweet bird +had flown up again, and that the redcaps must hold their tongues for +shame.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +CHAPTER XIV.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +And the Child was become happy and joyful, and breathed freely again, +and thought no more of returning to his hut, for he saw that nothing +returned inwards, but rather that all strove outwards into the free +air; the rosy apple blossoms from their narrow buds, and the gurgling +notes from the narrow breast of the lark. The germs burst open +the folding doors of the seeds, and broke through the heavy pressure +of the earth in order to get at the light; the grasses tore asunder +their bands, and their slender blades sprung upward. Even the +rocks were become gentle, and allowed little mosses to peep out from +their sides, as a sign that they would not remain impenetrably closed +for ever. And the flowers sent out colour and fragrance into the +whole world, for they kept not their best for themselves, but would +imitate the sun and the stars, which poured their warmth and radiance +over the spring. And many a little gnat and beetle burst the narrow +cell in which it was enclosed and crept out slowly, and, half asleep, +unfolded and shook its tender wings, and soon gained strength, and flew +off to untried delights. And as the butterflies came forth from +their chrysalids in all their gaiety and splendour, so did every humbled +and suppressed aspiration and hope free itself, and boldly launch into +the open and flowing sea of spring.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +HYMNS TO NIGHT.<br> +(<i>Translated from the German of Novalis</i>.)<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +I.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +Who that has life and intelligence, loves not, before all the surrounding +miracles of space, ever-joyous light with its tints, its beams, and +its waves, its mild omnipresence, when it comes as the waking day. +Like the inmost soul of life, it is inhaled by the giant universe of +gleaming stars, that dance as they swim in its blue flood; it is inhaled +by the glittering, eternally motionless stone, by the living plant that +drinks it in, by the wild and impetuous beast in its many forms; but +above all, by the glorious stranger, with eyes of intellect, majestic +step, with lips melodious, and gently closed. As a king over earthly +nature, it calls forth to countless changes every power, binds and loosens +bonds unnumbered, and hangs around every earthly being its heavenly +picture. Alone its presence declares the wondrous glory of the +kingdoms the world.<br> +<br> +I turn aside to the holy, the inexpressible, the mysterious Night. +Afar off lies the world, buried in some deep chasm: desolate and lonely +is the spot it filled. Through the chords of the breast sighs +deepest sorrow. I will sink down into the dewdrops, and with ashes +will I be commingled. The distant lines of memory, desires of +youth, the dreams of childhood, a whole life’s short joys and +hopes vain, unfulfilled, come clothed in grey, like evening mists, when +the sun’s glory has departed. Elsewhere has the light broken +upon habitations of gladness. What, should it never return again +to its children, who with the faith of innocence await its coming?<br> +<br> +What fount is thus suddenly opened within the heart, so full of forethought, +that destroys the soft breath of sorrow? Thou also - dost thou +love us, gloomy Night? What holdest thou concealed beneath thy +mantle that draws my soul towards thee with such mysterious power? +Costly balsam raineth from thy hand; from thy horn pourest thou out +manna; the heavy wings of the spirit liftest thou. Darkly and +inexpressibly do we feel ourselves moved: a solemn countenance I behold +with glad alarm, that bends towards me in gentle contemplation, displaying, +among endless allurements of the mother, lovely youth! How poor +and childish does the light now seem! How joyous and how hallowed +is the day’s departure! - Therefore then only, because Night dismissed +thy vassals, hast thou sown in the infinity of space those shining balls +to declare thine almighty power, and thy return in the season of absence? +More heavenly than those glittering stars seem the unnumbered eyes that +Night has opened within us. Farther can they see than beyond the +palest of that countless host; without need of light can they pierce +the depths of a spirit of love, that fills a yet more glorious space +with joy beyond expression. Glory to the world’s Queen, +the high declarer of spheres of holiness, the nurse of hallowed love! +Thee, thou tenderly beloved one, doth she send to me - thee, lovely +sun of the Night. Now I awaken, for I am thine and mine: the Night +hast thou given as a sign of life, and made me man. Devour with +glowing spiritual fire this earthly body, that I ethereal may abide +with thee in union yet more perfect, and then may the bridal Night endure +for ever.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +II.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +Must ever the morn return? Is there no end to the sovereignty +of earth? Unhallowed occupation breaks the heavenly pinion of +the Night. Shall the secret offering of love at no time burn for +ever? To the Light is its period allotted; but beyond time and +space is the empire of the Night. Eternal is the duration of sleep. +Thou holy sleep! bless not too rarely the Night’s dedicated son +in this earth’s daily work! Fools alone recognise thee not, +and know of no sleep beyond the shadow which in that twilight of the +actual Night thou throwest in compassion over us. They feel thee +not in the vine’s golden flood, in the almond-tree’s marvel +oil, and in the brown juice of the manna; they know not that it is thou +that enhaloest the tender maiden’s breast, and makest a heaven +of her bosom; conceive not that out of histories of old thou steppest +forth an opener of heaven, and bearest the key to the abodes of the +blessed, the silent messenger of unending mysteries.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +III.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +Once, when I was shedding bitter tears, when my hope streamed away dissolved +in sorrow, and I stood alone beside the barren hill, that concealed +in narrow gloomy space the form of my existence - alone, as never solitary +yet hath been, urged by an agony beyond expression, powerless, no more +than a mere thought of sorrow; as I looked around me there for aid, +could not advance, could not retire, and hung with incessant longing +upon fleeting, failing life; - then came there from the blue distance, +from the heights of my former happiness, a thin veil of the twilight +gloom, and in a moment burst the bondage of the fetters of the birth +of light. Then fled the glories of the earth, and all my sorrow +with them; sadness melted away in a new, an unfathomable world; thou, +inspiration of the Night, slumber of heaven, camest over me; the spot +whereon I stood rose insensibly on high; above the spot soared forth +my released and new-born spirit. The hill became a cloud of dust; +through the cloud I beheld the revealed features of my beloved one. +In her eyes eternity reposed; I grasped her hands, and my tears formed +a glittering, inseparable bond. Ages were swept by like storms +into the distance; on her neck I wept tears of ecstasy for life renewed. +It was my first, my only dream; and from that time I feel an eternal +and unchanging faith in the heaven of the Night, and in its light, the +Loved One.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +IV.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +Now do I know when the last morn will be; when the light shall no more +give alarm to the night and to love; when the slumber shall be without +end, and there shall be but one exhaustless dream. Heavenly weariness +do I feel within me. Long and wearisome had become the pilgrimage +to the holy grave - the cross a burthen. He who hath tasted of +the crystal wave that gushes forth, unknown to common eye, in the dark +bosom of that hill, against whose foot the flood of earthly waves is +dashed and broken; he who hath stood upon the summit of the world’s +mountain bounds, and hath looked beyond them down into that new land, +into the abode of Night; he, well I ween, turns not back into the turmoil +of the world - into the land where the light, and eternal unrest, dwells.<br> +<br> +There, above, does he erect his huts - his huts of peace; there longs +and loves, until comes the most welcome of all hours to draw him down +into that fountain’s source. Upon the surface floats all +that is earthly - it is hurried back by storms; but that which was hallowed +by the breath of love, freely streams it forth, through hidden paths, +into that realm beyond the mountain chain, and there, exhaled as incense, +becomes mixed with loves that have slept. Still, cheerful light, +dost thou waken the weary to his toil, still pourest thou glad life +into my breast; but from the mossy monument that memory has raised, +thence canst thou not allure me. Willingly will I employ my hands +in industry and toil; I will look around me at thy bidding; I will celebrate +the full glory of thy splendour; trace out, untired, the beauteous consistency +of thy wondrous work; willingly will I mark the marvellous course of +thy mighty, glowing timepiece; observe the balance of gigantic powers, +and the laws of the wondrous play of countless spaces and their periods. +But true to the Night remains my heart of hearts, and to creative Love, +her daughter. Canst thou show me a heart for ever faithful? +Hath thy sun fond eyes that know me? Do thy stars clasp my proffered +hand? Do they return the tender pressure, the caressing word? +Hast thou clothed her with fair hues and pleasing outline? Or +was it she who gave thine ornament a higher, dearer meaning? What +pleasure, what enjoyment, can thy life afford, that shall overweigh +the ecstasies of death? Bears not everything that inspires us +the colours of the Night? Thee she cherishes with a mother’s +care; to her thou owest all thy majesty. Thou hadst melted in +thyself, hadst been dissolved in endless space, had she not restrained +and encircled thee, so that thou wert warm, and gavest life to the world. +Verily I was, before thou wert: the mother sent me with my sisters to +inhabit thy world, to hallow it with love, so that it might be gazed +on as a memorial for ever, to plant it with unfading flowers. +As yet they have borne no fruit, these godlike thoughts; but few as +yet are the traces of our revelation. The day shall come when +thy timepiece pointeth to the end of time, when thou shalt be even as +one of us; and, filled with longing and ardent love, be blotted out +and die. Within my soul I feel the end of thy distracted power, +heavenly freedom, hailed return. In wild sorrow I recognise thy +distance from our home, thy hostility towards the ancient glorious heaven. +In vain are thy tumult and thy rage. Indestructible remains the +cross - a victorious banner of our race.<br> +<br> +<br> +“I wander over,<br> + And every tear<br> +To gem our pleasure<br> + Will then appear.<br> +A few more hours,<br> + And I find my rest<br> +In maddening bliss,<br> + On the loved one’s breast.<br> +Life, never ending,<br> + Swells mighty in me;<br> +I look from above down -<br> + Look back upon thee.<br> +By yonder hillock<br> + Expires thy beam;<br> +And comes with a shadow,<br> + The cooling gleam.<br> +Oh, call me, thou loved one,<br> + With strength from above;<br> +That I may slumber,<br> + And wake to love.<br> +I welcome death’s<br> + Reviving flood;<br> +To balm and to ether<br> + It changes my blood.<br> +I live through each day,<br> + Filled with faith and desire;<br> +And die when the Night comes<br> + In heaven-born fire.”<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +V.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +Over the widely-spreading races of mankind, ruled aforetime an iron +Destiny with silent power. A dark and heavy band was around man’s +anxious soul; without end was the earth; the home of the gods and their +abode. Throughout eternities had her mysterious structure stood. +Beyond the red mountains of the morning, in the holy bosom of the sea, +there dwelt the Sun, the all-inflaming, living light. A hoary +giant bare the sacred world. Securely prisoned, beneath mountains, +lay the first sons of the mother Earth, powerless in their destructive +fury against the new and glorious race of the gods, and their kindred, +joyous men. The dark, green ocean’s depth was the bosom +of a goddess. In the crystal grottoes rioted a voluptuous tribe. +Rivers, trees, flowers, and brute beasts had human understanding. +Sweeter was the wine poured forth by youth’s soft bloom; a god +in the vine’s clusters; a loving, a maternal goddess, shooting +forth among the full, golden sheaves; love’s holy flame, a delicious +service to the most beauteous of the goddesses. An ever gay and +joyous festival of heaven’s children and the dwellers upon earth, +life rustled on as a spring, through centuries. All races venerated, +like children, the tender, thousand-fold flame, as the highest of the +world; one thought only was there, one hideous vision of a dream:-<br> +<br> +<br> +“That fearful to the joyous tables came,<br> + And the gay soul in wild distraction shrouded.<br> +Here could the gods themselves no counsel frame,<br> + That might console the breast with sorrow clouded.<br> +This monster’s path mysterious, still the same,<br> + Unstilled his rage, though prayers on gifts were crowded.<br> +His name was Death, who with distress of soul,<br> +Anguish and tears, on the hour of pleasure stole.<br> +<br> +For ever now from everything departed<br> + That here can swell the heart with sweet delight,<br> +Torn now from the beloved one, who, sad-hearted,<br> + On earth could but desire and grief excite,<br> +A feeble dream seemed to the dead imparted,<br> + Powerless striving made man’s only right;<br> +And broken was enjoyment’s heaving billow,<br> +Upon the rock of endless care, its pillow.<br> +<br> +With daring mind, as heavenly fancy glows,<br> + Man masks the fearful shape with fair resembling:<br> +His torch put out, a mild youth doth repose;<br> + Soft is the end as the lyre’s mournful trembling.<br> +Remembrance fades i’ the gloom a shadow throws:<br> + So sang the song, a dreadful doom dissembling.<br> +Yet undefined remained eternal Night,<br> +The stern reminder of some distant might.”<br> +<br> +<br> +At length the old world bowed its head. The gay gardens of the +young race were withered; beyond into the freer, desert space aspired +less childish and maturing man. The gods then vanished with their +train. Lonely and lifeless, Nature stood. The scanty number +and the rigid measure bound her with fetters of iron. As into +dust and air melted the inconceivable blossoms of life into mysterious +words. Fled was the magic faith, and phantasy the all-changing, +all-uniting friend from heaven. Over the rigid earth, unfriendly, +blew a cold north wind, and the wonder-home, now without life, was lost +in ether; the recesses of the heavens were filled with beaming worlds. +Into a holier sphere, into the mind’s far higher space, did the +world draw the soul with its powers, there to wander until the break +of the world’s dawning glory. No longer was the light the +gods’ abode, their token in the heavens: the veil of the night +did they cast over them. The night was the mighty bosom of revelations; +in it the gods returned, and slumbered there, to go forth in new and +in more glorious forms over the altered world.<br> +<br> +Among the people above all despised, too soon matured, and wilful strangers +to the blessed innocence of youth; among them, with features hitherto +unseen, the new world came, in the poet’s hut of poverty, a son +of the first virgin mother, endless fruit of a mysterious embrace. +The boding, budding wisdom of the East first recognised another Time’s +beginning; to the humble cradle of the monarch their star declared the +way. In the name of the distant future, with splendour and with +incense, did they make offering to him, the highest wonder of the world. +In solitude did the heavenly heart unfold to a flowery chalice of almighty +love, bent towards the holy countenance of the father, and resting on +the happily-expectant bosom of the lovely pensive mother. With +divine ardour did the prophetic eye of the blooming child look forth +into the days of the future, towards his beloved, the offspring of the +race of God, careless for his day’s earthly destiny. The +most child-like spirits, wondrously seized with a deep, heart-felt love, +collected soon around him; as flowers, a new and unknown life budded +forth upon his path. Words inexhaustible, the gladdest tidings +fell, as sparks from a heavenly spirit, from his friendly lips. +From a distant coast, born under Hellas’ cheerful sky, a minstrel +came to Palestine, and yielded his whole heart to the wondrous child:-<br> +<br> +<br> +“The youth art thou, who for uncounted time,<br> + Upon our graves hast stood with hidden meaning;<br> +In hours of darkness a consoling sign,<br> + Of higher manhood’s joyous, hailed beginning;<br> +That which hath made our soul so long to pine,<br> + Now draws us hence, sweet aspirations winning.<br> +In Death, eternal Life hath been revealed:<br> +And thou art Death, by thee we first are healed.”<br> +<br> +<br> +The minstrel wandered, full of joy, towards Hindostan, the heart elated +with the sweetest love, which, beneath yonder heavens, he poured forth +in fiery songs, so that a thousand hearts inclined towards him, and +with a thousand branches grew towards heaven the joyous tidings. +Soon after the minstrel’s departure, the precious life became +a sacrifice to the deep guilt of man: he died in youthful years, torn +from the world he loved, from the weeping mother and lamenting friends. +His mouth of love emptied the dark cup of inexpressible affliction. +In fearful anguish approached the hour of the new world’s birth. +Deeply was he touched with the old world’s fearful death - the +weight of the old world fell heavily upon him. Once more he gazed +placidly upon the mother, then came the loosening hand of eternal love, +and he slumbered. Few days only hung a deep veil over the swelling +sea, over the quaking land; the beloved ones wept countless tears; the +mystery was unsealed: the ancient stone heavenly spirits raised from +the dark grave. Angels sat beside the slumberer, tenderly formed +out of his dreams. Awakened in the new glory of a god, he ascended +the height of the new-born world; and with his own hand buried within +the deserted sepulchre the old one’s corpse, and with almighty +hand placed over it the stone no power can raise.<br> +<br> +Yet do thy dear ones weep rich tears of joy, tears of emotion, and of +eternal gratitude beside thy grave; even yet, with glad alarm, do they +behold thee rise, themselves with thee; behold thee weeping, with sweet +feeling, on the happy bosom of thy mother, solemnly walking with thy +friends, speaking words as if broken from the tree of life; see thee +hasten, full of longing, to thy Father’s arms, bringing the young +race of man, and the cup of a golden future, which shall never be exhausted. +The mother soon followed thee in heavenly triumph; she was the first +to join thee in the new home. Long ages have flown by since then, +and ever in yet higher glory hath thy new creation grown, and thousands +from out of pain and misery have, full of faith and longing, followed +thee; roam with thee and the heavenly virgin in the realm of love, serve +in the temple of heavenly Death, and are in eternity thine.<br> +<br> +<br> +“Lifted is the stone,<br> + Manhood hath arisen:<br> +Still are we thine own,<br> + Unharmed by bond or prison.<br> +When earth - life - fade away<br> + In the last meal’s solemn gladness,<br> +Around thy cup dare stray<br> + No trace of grief or sadness.<br> +<br> +To the marriage, Death doth call,<br> + The brilliant lamps are lighted;<br> +The virgins come, invited,<br> + And oil is with them all.<br> +Space now to space is telling<br> + How forth thy train hath gone,<br> +The voice of stars is swelling<br> + With human tongue and tone!<br> +<br> +To thee, Maria, hallowed,<br> + A thousand hearts are sent;<br> +In this dark life and shadowed,<br> + On thee their thoughts are bent:<br> +The soul’s releasement seeing<br> + They, longing, seek its rest;<br> +By thee pressed, holy being,<br> + Upon thy faithful breast.<br> +<br> +How many who, once glowing,<br> + Earth’s bitterness have learned,<br> +Their souls with grief o’erflowing,<br> + To thee have sadly turned;<br> +Thou pitying hast appearéd,<br> + In many an hour of pain;<br> +We come to thee now, wearied,<br> + There ever to remain.<br> +<br> +By no cold grave now weepeth<br> + A faithful love, forlorn;<br> +Each still love’s sweet rights keepeth,<br> + From none will they be torn.<br> +To soften his sad longing<br> + Her fires doth Night impart;<br> +From heaven cherubs thronging,<br> + Hold watch upon his heart.<br> +<br> +Content, our life advancing<br> + To a life that shall abide,<br> +Each flame its worth enhancing,<br> + The soul is glorified.<br> +The starry host shall sink then<br> + To bright and living wine,<br> +The golden draught we drink then,<br> + And stars ourselves shall shine.<br> +<br> +Love released, lives woundless,<br> + No separation more;<br> +While life swells free and boundless<br> + As a sea without a shore.<br> +One night of glad elation,<br> + One joy that cannot die,<br> +And the sun of all creation<br> + Is the face of the Most High.”<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +VI - LONGING FOR DEATH.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +Below, within the earth’s dark breast,<br> + From realms of light departing,<br> +There sorrow’s pang and sigh oppressed<br> + Is signal of our starting.<br> +In narrow boat we ferry o’er<br> +Speedily to heaven’s shore.<br> +<br> +To us be hallowed endless Night,<br> + Hallowed eternal slumber!<br> +The day hath withered us with light,<br> + And troubles beyond number.<br> +No more ’mong strangers would we roam;<br> +We seek our Father, and our home.<br> +<br> +Upon this world, what do we here,<br> + As faithful, fond, and true men?<br> +The Old but meets with scorn and sneer:-<br> + What care we for the New, then?<br> +Oh, lone is he, and sadly pines,<br> +Who loves with zeal the olden times!<br> +<br> +Those old times when the spirits light<br> + To heaven as flame ascended;<br> +The Father’s hand and features bright<br> + When men yet comprehended;<br> +When many a mortal, lofty-souled,<br> +Yet bore the mark of heavenly mould.<br> +<br> +Those olden times when budded still<br> + The stems of ancient story,<br> +And children, to do Heaven’s will,<br> + In pain and death sought glory;<br> +Those times when life and pleasure spoke,<br> +Yet many a heart with fond love broke.<br> +<br> +Those old times when in fires of youth<br> + Was God himself revealéd,<br> +And early death, in love and truth,<br> + His sweet existence sealéd,<br> +Who put not from him care and pain,<br> +That dear to us he might remain.<br> +<br> +With trembling longing these we see,<br> + By darkness now belated,<br> +In Time’s dominions ne’er will be<br> + Our ardent thirsting sated.<br> +First to our home ’tis need we go,<br> +Seek we these holy times to know.<br> +<br> +And our return what still can stay?<br> + Long have the best-loved slumbered;<br> +Their grave bounds for us life’s drear way,<br> + Our souls with grief are cumbered.<br> +All that we have to seek is gone,<br> +The heart is full - the world is lone.<br> +<br> +Unending, with mysterious flame,<br> + O’er us sweet awe is creeping;<br> +Methought from viewless distance came<br> + An echo to our weeping;<br> +The loved ones long for us on high,<br> +And sent us back their pining sigh.<br> +<br> +Below, to seek the tender bride,<br> + To Jesus, whom we cherish!<br> +Good cheer! lo, greys the even-tide, -<br> + Love’s agonies shall perish. -<br> +A dream - our fetters melt, at rest<br> +We sink upon the Father’s breast.<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, PETER SCHLEMIHL ETC. ***<br> +<pre> + +******This file should be named ptsc10h.htm or ptsc10h.zip****** +Corrected EDITIONS of our EBooks get a new NUMBER, ptsc11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, ptsc10ah.htm + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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