The proposed riddle raised some scruples in Wilhelm’s mind; yet erelong
he began to feel a still attraction in the matter, an impulse of longing
to reach that appointed line, and follow its direction: as, indeed, we
are wont to seize with eagerness any specific object that excites our
imagination, our active faculties, and to wish that we might accomplish
it and partake of it.
A child that, in asking alms of us, puts into our hand a card with five
lottery numbers written on it, we do not lightly turn away unserved; and
it depends on the moment, especially if it be shortly before the
drawing, whether we shall not, with accidentally stimulated hope, quite
against our usual custom, stake heavy shares upon these very numbers.
The wanderer now tried on a large map the little fragment which had been
sent him, and stood surprised, amazed, affrighted, as he saw the needle
pointing straight to Mignon’s native place, to the houses where she had
lived. What his peculiar feelings were, we do not find declared; but
whoever can bring back to memory the end of the _Apprenticeship_, will
in his own heart and mind, without difficulty, call forth the like.
The chief cause, however, why we meet with scantier records of this
excursion than we could have wished, may probably be this: that Wilhelm
chanced to fall in with a young, lively companion of his journey, by
means of whom it became easy to retain for himself and his friends a
vivid and strong remembrance of this pious pilgrimage without any aid of
writing. Unexpectedly he finds himself beside a painter,--one of that
class of persons whom we often see wandering about the world, and still
oftener figuring in romances and dramas, but, in this case, an
individual who showed himself at once to be really a distinguished
artist. The two very soon got acquainted, mutually communicated their
desires, projects, purposes. And now it appears that this skilful
artist, who delights in painting aquatical landscapes, and can decorate
his pieces with rich, well-imagined, well-executed additions and
accompaniments, has been passionately attracted by Mignon’s form,
destiny, and being. He has often painted her already, and is now going
forth to copy from nature the scenes where she passed her early years;
amid these to represent the dear child in happy and unhappy
circumstances and moments, and thus to make her image, which lives in
all tender hearts, present also to the sense of the eye.
The friends soon reach the Lago Maggiore: Wilhelm endeavors by degrees
to find out the places indicated. Rural palaces, spacious monasteries,
ferries and bays, capes and landings, are visited; nor are the dwellings
of courageous and kind-hearted fishermen forgotten, or the cheerfully
built villages along the shore, or the gay mansions on the neighboring
heights. All this the artist can seize, to all of it communicate, by
light and coloring, the feeling suitable for each scene; so that Wilhelm
passes his days and his hours in heart-searching emotion.
In several of the leaves stood Mignon represented on the foreground, as
she had looked and lived: Wilhelm striving by correct description to
assist the happy imagination of his friend, and reduce these general
conceptions within the stricter limits of individuality.
And thus you might see the boy-girl set forth in various attitudes and
manifold expression. Beneath the lofty portal of the splendid
country-house she is standing, thoughtfully contemplating the marble
statues in the hall. Here she rocks herself, plashing to and fro among
the waters, in the fastened boat: there she climbs the mast, and shows
herself as a fearless sailor.
But distinguished beyond all the other pictures was one which the
artist, on his journey hither, and prior to his meeting with Wilhelm,
had combined and painted with all its characteristic features. In the
heart of the rude mountains shines the graceful seeming-boy, encircled
with toppling cliffs, besprayed with cataracts, in the middle of a
motley horde. Never, perhaps, was a grim, precipitous, primeval
mountain-pass more beautifully or expressively relieved with living
figures. The party-colored, gypsy-looking group, at once rude and
fantastic, strange and common, too loose to cause fear, too singular to
awaken confidence. Stout beasts of burden are bearing along, now over
paths made of trees, now down by steps hewn in the rock, a tawdry,
chaotic heap of luggage, round which all the instruments of a deafening
music hang dangling to and fro, to affright the ear from time to time
with rude tones. Amid all this the lovely child, self-collected without
defiance, indignant without resistance, led, but not dragged. Who would
not have looked with pleasure at this singular and impressive picture?
Given in strong characters, frowned the stern obstruction of these
rock-masses, riven asunder by gloomy chasms, towered up together,
threatening to hinder all outgate, had not a bold bridge betokened the
possibility of again coming into union with the rest of the world. Nor
had the artist, with his quick feeling of fictitious truth, forgot to
indicate the entrance of a cave, which you might equally regard as the
natural laboratory of huge crystals, or as the abode of a fabulously
frightful brood of dragons.
Not without a holy fear did our friends visit the marchese’s palace. The
old man was still absent on his travels; but, in this circle also, the
two wanderers, knowing well how to apply and conduct themselves, both
towards spiritual and temporal authorities, were kindly received and
entertained.
The absence of the owner also was to Wilhelm very pleasant; for although
he could have wished to see the worthy gentleman, and would have
heartily saluted him, he felt afraid of the marchese’s thankful
generosity, and of any forced recompense of that true, loving conduct
for which he had already obtained the fairest reward.
And thus our friends went floating in gay boats from shore to shore,
cruising the lake in every direction. It was the fairest season of the
year: and they missed neither sunrise nor sunset, nor any of the
thousand shadings which the heavenly light first bounteously dispenses
over its own firmament, and from thence over lake and land; not
appearing itself in its perfect glory till imaged back from the waters.
A luxuriant vegetable world, planted by Nature, watched over and
forwarded by Art, on every side surrounded them. The first chestnut
forests they had already greeted with welcome; and now they could not
restrain a mournful smile, as, lying under the shade of cypresses, they
saw the laurel mounting up, the pomegranates reddening, orange and
citron trees unfolding themselves in blossoms, and fruit at the same
time glowing forth from the dark foliage.
Through means of his vivid associate, Wilhelm had another enjoyment
prepared for him. Our old friend had not been favored by Nature with the
eye of a painter. Susceptible of visual beauty only in the human form,
he now felt, that by the presence of a companion, alike disposed, but
trained to quite different enjoyments and activities, the surrounding
world also was opened to his sight.
By viewing, under conversational direction, the changing glories of the
region, and still more by concentrated imitation, his eyes were opened,
and his mind freed from all its once obstinate doubts. Hitherto all
copies of Italian scenery had seemed to him suspicious: the sky, he
thought, was too blue; the violet tone of those charming distances was
lovely, but untrue; and the abundant, fresh green too bright and gay;
but now he united in his inmost perceptions with his new friend, and
learned, susceptible as he was, to look at the earth with that friend’s
eyes: and, while Nature unfolded the open secret of her beauty, he could
not but feel an irresistible attraction towards Art as towards her most
fit expositor.
But his pictorial friend quite unexpectedly anticipated his wishes in
another point. The artist had already many times started some gay song,
and thus, in hours of rest, delightfully enlivened and accompanied their
movement when out in long voyages over the water. But now it happened,
that, in one of the palaces they were visiting, he found a curious,
peculiar stringed instrument,--a lute of small size, strong, well toned,
convenient, and portable: he soon contrived to tune it, and then handled
the strings so pleasantly, and so well entertained those about him,
that, like a new Orpheus, he subdued by soft harmonies the usually
rigorous and dry castellan, and kindly constrained him to lend the
instrument for a time, under the condition, that, before departing, the
singer should faithfully return it, and, in the interim, should come
back some Sunday or holiday, and again gratify them by his music.
Quite another spirit now enlivened lake and shore: boat and skiff strove
which should be nearest our friends; even freight and market barges
lingered in their neighborhood; rows of people on the beach followed
their course; when landing they were encircled by a gay-minded throng;
when departing each blessed them with a heart contented, yet full of
longing.
And now, at last, to any third party who had watched our friends, it
must have been apparent enough that their mission was, in fact,
accomplished: all scenes and localities referring to Mignon had been,
not only sketched, but partly brought into light, shade, and color,
partly in warm, mid-day hours, finished with the utmost fidelity. In
effecting this they had shifted from place to place in a peculiar way,
as Wilhelm’s vow frequently impeded them: this, however, they had now
and then contrived to evade by explaining it as valid only on land, and
on water not applicable.
Indeed, Wilhelm himself now felt that their special purpose was
attained; yet he could not deny that the wish to see Hilaria and the
fair widow must also be satisfied if he wished to leave this country
with a free mind. His friend, to whom he had imparted their story, was
no less curious, and already prided himself in the thought, that, in one
of his paintings, there was a vacant space, which, as an artist, he
might decorate with the forms of these gentle persons.
Accordingly, they now cruised to and fro, watching the points where
strangers are wont first to enter this paradise. Their hope of meeting
friends here had already been made known to the boatmen; and the search
had not lasted long when there came in sight a splendid barge, which
they instantly made chase of, and forbore not passionately to grapple
with on reaching it. The dames, in some degree alarmed at this movement,
soon recovered their composure as Wilhelm produced his little piece of
chart; and the two, without hesitation, recognized the arrow which
themselves had drawn on it. The friends were then kindly invited to come
on board the ladies’ barge, which they did without an instant’s delay.
And now let us figure to ourselves these four, as they sit together in
the daintiest apartment, the most blissful world lying round them,
looking in each other’s faces, fanned by soft airs, rocked on glittering
waves. Imagine the female pair, as we lately saw them described; the
male, as they have together for weeks been leading a wayfaring life; and
after a little reflection we behold them all in the most delightful, but
also the most dangerous situation.
For the three who have before, willingly or unwillingly, ranked
themselves in the number of renunciants, we have not the worst to fear:
the fourth, however, may, probably enough, too soon see himself admitted
into that order, like the others.
After crossing the lake several times, and pointing out the most
interesting spots, both on the shore and the islands, our two wanderers
conducted their fair friends to the place they were to pass the night
in; where a dexterous guide, selected for this voyage, had taken care to
provide all possible conveniences. Wilhelm’s vow was now a harsh but
suitable master of the ceremonies; for he and his companion had already
passed three days in this very station, and exhausted all that was
remarkable in the environs. The artist, not restrained by any vow,
begged permission to attend the dames on shore: this, however, they
declined, and so the party separated at some distance from the harbor.
Scarcely had the singer stepped into his skiff, which hastily drew back
from the beach, when he seized his lute, and gracefully began raising
that strangely plaintive song which the Venetian gondoliers send forth
in clear melody from land to sea, and from sea to land. Expert enough in
this feat, which in the present instance proceeded with peculiar
tenderness and expression, he strengthened his voice in proportion to
the increasing distance; so that on the shore you would have thought you
heard him still singing in the same place. He at last laid his lute
aside, trusting to his voice alone, and had the satisfaction to observe
that the dames, instead of retiring into their house, were pleased to
linger on the shore. He felt so inspired that he could not cease, not
even when night and remoteness had withdrawn every thing from view; till
at last his calmer friend reminded him, that, if darkness did favor his
tones, the skiff had already long passed the limits within which these
could take effect.
According to promise, the two parties again met next day on the open
lake. Flying along, they formed acquaintance with the lovely series of
prospects, now standing forth in separate distinction, then gathering
into rows, and seen behind each other, and at last fading away, as the
higher eclipsed the lower; all which, repeating itself in the waters,
affords in such excursions the most varied entertainment. Nor, in the
course of these sights, did the copies of them, from our artist’s
portfolio, fail to awaken thoughts and anticipations of what, in the
present hour, was not imparted. For all such matters the still Hilaria
seemed to have a free and fair feeling.
But, towards noon, singularity again came into play: the ladies landed
alone; the men cruised before the harbor. And now the singer endeavored
to accommodate his music to a shorter distance, where not only the
general, soft, and quickly warbling tone of desire, but likewise a
certain gay, graceful importunity might be expected to tell. And here
now and then some one or other of the songs, for which we stand indebted
to our friends in the “Apprenticeship,” would come hovering over his
strings, over his lips; but out of well-meant regard to the feelings of
his hearers, as well as to his own, he restrained himself in this
particular, and roved at large in foreign images and emotions, whereby
his performance gained in effect, and reached the ear with so much the
more insinuating blandishment. The two friends, blockading the harbor in
this way, would not have recollected the trivial concern of eating and
drinking, had not the more provident fair ones sent them over a supply
of dainty bits, to which an accompanying draught of wine had the best
possible relish.
Every separation, every stipulation, that comes in the way of our
gathering passions, sharpens instead of stifling them; and in this case,
as in others, it may be presumed that the short absence had awakened
equal longing in both parties. At all events, the dames in their gay,
dazzling gondola were very soon to be seen coming back.
This word gondola, however, let us not take up in the melancholy
Venetian meaning: here it signifies a cheerful, commodious, social bark;
which, had our little company been twice as large, would still have been
spacious enough for them.
Some days were spent in this peculiar way, between meeting and parting,
between separation and social union; but, amid the enjoyment of the most
delightful intercourse, departure and bereavement still hovered before
the agitated soul. In presence of the new friends the old came back into
the mind: were these new ones absent, each could not but admit that
already they had taken deep root in his remembrance. None but a composed
and tried spirit, like our fair widow, could in such moments have
maintained herself in complete equilibrium.
Hilaria’s heart had been too deeply wounded to admit of any new entire
impression: but as the grace of a fair scene encircles us of itself with
soothing influences; so, when the mildness of tender-hearted friends
conspires with it, there comes over sense and soul a peculiar mood of
softness, that recalls to us, as in dreaming visions, the past and the
absent, and withdraws the present, as if it were but a show, into
spiritual remoteness. Thus, alternately rocked this way and that,
attracted and repelled, approximated and removed, they wavered and
wended for several days.
Without more narrowly investigating these circumstances, the shrewd,
experienced guide imagined he observed some alteration in the calm
demeanor of his heroines; and when at last the whimsical part of their
predicament became known to him, he contrived here also to devise the
most grateful expedient. For, as our two shipmen were again conducting
the ladies to their usual place of dinner, they were met by another gay
bark, which, falling alongside of theirs, exhibited a well-covered
table, with all the cheerful invitations of a festive repast: the
friends could now wait in company the lapse of several hours, and only
night decided the customary separation.
Happily the artist and Wilhelm had, in their former voyagings,
neglected, out of a certain natural caprice, to visit the most highly
ornamented of all the islands, and had even yet never thought of showing
to their fair friends the many artificial and somewhat dilapidated
curiosities of the place, before these glorious scenes of creation were
entirely gone through. At last, however, new light rose on their minds.
They took counsel with the guide: he contrived forthwith to expedite
their voyage, and all looked on it as the most blissful they had yet
undertaken. They could now hope and expect, after so many interrupted
joys, to spend three whole heavenly days assembled together in a
sequestered abode.
And here we cannot but bestow on this guide our high commendation: he
belonged to that nimble, active, dexterous class, who, in attendance on
successive parties, often travel the same roads; perfectly acquainted
with the conveniences and inconveniences on all of them, they understand
how to use the one and evade the other, and, without leaving their own
profit out of sight, still to conduct their patrons more cheaply and
pleasantly through the country than without such aid would have been
possible.
At this time, also, a sufficient female train, belonging to our dames,
for the first time stepped forth in decided activity; and the fair widow
could now make it one of her conditions, that the friends were to remain
with her as guests, and content themselves with what she called her
moderate entertainment. In this point, too, all prospered; for the
cunning functionary had, on this occasion as on others, contrived to
make so good a use of the letters and introductions which his heroines
had brought with them, that, the owner of the place they were now about
to visit being absent, both castle and garden, kitchen included, were
thrown open for the service of the strangers,--nay, some prospect was
held out, even of the cellar. All things co-operated so harmoniously,
that our wanderers from the very first moment felt themselves as if at
home, as if born lords of this paradise.
The whole luggage of the party was now carried to the island, an
arrangement producing much convenience to all; though the chief
advantage aimed at was, that the portfolios of our artist, now for the
first time all collected together, might afford him means to exhibit in
continuous sequence to his fair hostesses the route he had followed.
This task was undertaken by all parties with delight. Not that they
proceeded in the common style of amateur and artist, mutually
eulogizing: here was a gifted man, rewarded by the most sincere and
judicious praise. But that we fall not into the suspicion of attempting,
with general phrases, to palm on credulous readers what we could not
openly show them, let us here insert the judgment of a critic, who some
years afterwards viewed with studious admiration both the pieces here in
question, and the others of a like or similar sort by the same hand.
“He succeeds in representing the cheerful repose of
lake-prospects, where houses in friendly approximation, imaging
themselves in the clear wave, seem as if bathing in its depths;
shores encircled with green hills, behind which rise forest
mountains, and icy peaks of glaciers. The tone of coloring in
such scenes is gay, mirthfully clear; the distances, as if
overflowed with softening vapor, which, from watered hollows and
river valleys, mounts up grayer and mistier, and indicates their
windings. No less is the master’s art to be praised in views
from valleys lying nearer the high Alpine ranges, where
declivities slope down, luxuriantly overgrown, and fresh streams
roll hastily along by the foot of rocks.
“With exquisite skill, in the deep, shady trees of the
foreground, he gives the distinctive character of the several
species; satisfying us in the form of the whole, as in the
structure of the branches and the details of the leaves,--no
less so in the fresh green, with its manifold shadings, where
soft airs appear as if fanning us with benignant breath, and the
lights as if thereby put in motion.
“In the middle ground his lively green tone grows fainter by
degrees, and at last, on the more distant mountain tops, passing
into weak violet, weds itself with the blue of the sky. But our
artist is, above all, happy in his paintings of high Alpine
regions; in seizing the simple greatness and stillness of their
character; the wide pastures on the slopes, clothed with the
freshest green, where dark, solitary firs stand forth from the
grassy carpet; and from high cliffs foaming brooks rush down.
Whether he relieve his pasturages with grazing cattle, or the
narrow, winding, rocky path with mules and laden pack-horses, he
paints all with equal truth and richness: still introduced in
the proper place, and not in too great copiousness, they
decorate and enliven these scenes without interrupting, without
lessening, their peaceful solitude. The execution testifies a
master’s hand,--easy with a few sure strokes, and yet complete.
In his later pieces he employed glittering English, permanent
colors on paper: these pictures, accordingly, are of
pre-eminently blooming tone, cheerful, yet, at the same time,
strong and sated.
“His views of deep mountain chasms, where round and round
nothing fronts us but dead rock; where, in the abyss,
overspanned by its bold arch, the wild stream rages,--are,
indeed, of less attraction than the former; yet their truth
excites us: we admire the great effect of the whole, produced at
so little cost, by a few expressive strokes, and masses of local
colors.
“With no less accuracy of character can he represent the regions
of the topmost Alpine ranges, where neither tree nor shrub any
more appears; but only, amid the rocky teeth and snow summits, a
few sunny spots clothe themselves with a soft sward. Beautiful
and balmy and inviting as he colors these spots, he has here
wisely forborne to introduce grazing herds; for these regions
give food only to the chamois, and a perilous employment to the
wild-hay-men.
“We shall not deviate from our purpose of bringing the condition
of these waste scenes as close as possible to the conception of
our readers, if to this word, wild-hay-man, or _Wildheuer_, we
subjoin a short explanation. It is a name given to the poorer
inhabitants of the upland Alpine ranges, who occupy themselves
in making hay from such grassy spots as are inaccessible to
cattle. For this purpose they climb, with cramps on their feet,
the steepest and most dangerous cliffs; or from high crags let
themselves down by ropes when this is necessary, and so reach
these grassy patches. The grass once cut and dried to hay, they
throw it down from the heights into the deeper valleys; where,
being collected together, it is sold to cattle-owners, with
whom, on account of its superior quality, it finds a ready
market.”
These paintings, which must have gratified and attracted any eye, were
viewed by Hilaria, in particular, with great attention; and from her
observations it became clear, that, in this department, she herself was
no stranger. To the artist, least of all, did this continue secret: nor
could approval from any one have been more precious to him than from
this most graceful of all persons. Her companion, therefore, kept
silence no longer, but blamed Hilaria for not coming forward with her
own accomplishment, but lingering in this case as she always did,--now
where the question was not of being praised or blamed, but of being
instructed. A fairer opportunity, she said, might not easily occur.
And now it came to light, when she was thus forced to exhibit her
portfolios, what a talent was lying hid behind this still and most
lovely nature: the capacity had been derived from birth, and diligently
cultivated by practice. She possessed a true eye; a delicate hand, such
as women, accustomed to use it in their dressing and decorating
operations, find available in higher art. You might, doubtless, observe
unsureness in the strokes, and, in consequence, a too undecided
character in the objects: but you could not help admiring the most
faithful execution; though the whole was not seized in its happiest
effect, not grouped and adjusted with the skill of an artist. She is
afraid, you would say, of profaning her object, if she keep not
completely true to it: hence she becomes precise and stiff, and loses
herself in details.
But now, by the great, free talent, by the bold hand of the artist, she
feels rising, awakening within her, whatever genuine feeling and taste
had till now slumbered in her mind: she perceives that she has but to
take heart, and earnestly and punctually to follow some fundamental
maxims which the artist, with penetrating judgment and friendly
importunity, is repeating, and impressing on her. That sureness of
stroke comes of its own accord; she by degrees dwells less on the parts
than on the whole: and thus the fairest capability rises on a sudden to
fulfilment; as a rosebud, which in the evening we passed by unobservant,
breaks forth in the morning at sunrise before our face; and the living,
quivering movement of this lordly blossom, struggling out to the light,
seems almost visible before our eyes.
Nor did this intellectual culture remain without moral effects; for, on
a pure spirit, it produces a magic impression to be conscious of that
heartfelt thankfulness natural towards any one to whom it stands
indebted for decisive instruction. In this case it was the first glad
emotion which had risen in Hilaria’s soul for many a week. To see this
lordly world lying round her day after day, and now at once to feel the
instantly acquired, more perfect gift of representing it! What delight
in figures and tints, to be approaching nearer the Unspeakable! She felt
herself surprised as with a new youth, and could not refuse a peculiar
kindliness to the man who had procured for her such happiness.
Thus did the two sit together: you could scarcely have determined
whether he were readier in communicating secret advantages in art, or
she in seizing them and turning them to practice. The happiest rivalry,
such as too seldom rises between scholar and master, here took place.
Many a time you might observe the friend preparing with some decisive
stroke to influence her drawing; which she, on the other hand, would
gently decline, hastening to do the wished, the necessary, of her own
accord, and always to her master’s astonishment.
The fair widow, in the mean while, walked along the terraces with
Wilhelm, under cypresses and pines, now under vine, now under orange
groves, and at last could not but fulfil the faintly indicated wish of
her new friend, and disclose to him the strange entanglement by which
the two fair pilgrims, cut off from their former ties, and straitly
united to one another, had been sent forth to wander over the world.
Wilhelm, who wanted not the gift of accurately noting what he saw, took
down her narrative some time afterwards in writing: this, as he compiled
it and transmitted it by Hersilia to Natalia, we purpose by and by
communicating to our readers.
The last evening was now come; and a rising, most clear, full moon
concealed the transition from day to night. The party had assembled and
seated themselves on one of the highest terraces, to see distinct and
unimpeded, and glittering in the sheen of east and west, the peaceful
lake, hidden partly in its length, but visible over all its breadth.
Whatever in such circumstances might be talked of, it was natural once
more to repeat the hundred times repeated; to mention the beauties of
this sky, of this water, of this land, under the influences of a strong
sun and milder moon,--nay, exclusively and lyrically to recognize and
describe them.
But what none of them uttered, what each durst scarcely avow to himself,
was the deep, mournful feeling which, stronger or weaker, but with equal
truth and tenderness, was beating in every bosom. The presentiment of
parting diffused itself over present union: a gradual stagnation was
becoming almost painful.
Then at last the singer roused himself, summoned up his resolution; with
strong tones, preluding on his instrument; heedless of the former
well-meant reserve. Mignon’s figure, with the first soft song of the
gentle child, were hovering before him. Passionately hurried over the
limits, with longing touch awakening the sweetly sounding strings, he
began to raise,--
“Dost know the land where citrons, lemons, grow,
Gold oranges ’neath dusky foliage”....
Hersilia rose in deepest agitation, and hurried away, veiling her face:
our fair widow, with a motion of refusal, waved her hand towards the
singer; while she caught Wilhelm’s arm with the other. The perplexed and
half-unconscious youth followed Hilaria: Wilhelm, by his more
considerate guide, was led after them. And now, when they stood all four
under the high moonshine, the general emotion was no longer to be
concealed. The women threw themselves into each other’s arms; the men
embraced each other; and Luna was witness of the noblest, chastest
tears. Some recollection slowly returned: they forced themselves
asunder, silent, under strange feelings and wishes, from which hope was
already cut off. And now our artist, whom his friend dragged with him,
felt himself here under the void heaven, in the solemn, lovely hour of
night, initiated in the first stage of renunciation, which those friends
had already passed through, though they now saw themselves again in
danger of being sharply tried.
Not till late had the young men gone to rest; awakening in the early
morning, they took heart; thought themselves now strong enough for a
farewell to this paradise; devised many plans for still, without
violation of duty, at least lingering in the pleasant neighborhood.
While purposing to introduce their projects to this effect, they were
cut short by intelligence, that, with the earliest break of day, the
ladies had departed. A letter from the hand of our Queen of Hearts gave
them more precise information. You might have doubted whether sense
rather than goodness, love rather than friendship, acknowledgment of
merit rather than soft, bashful favor, was expressed in it. But, alas!
in the conclusion stood the hard request, that our two wanderers were
neither to follow their heroines, nor anywhere to seek them; nay, if
they chanced to see each other, they were faithfully to avoid meeting.
And now the paradise, as if by the touch of an enchanter’s rod, was
changed for our friends into an utter desert; and certainly they would
have smiled at themselves had they perceived at this moment how unjust
and unthankful they were on a sudden become to so fair and remarkable a
scene. No self-seeking hypochondriac could so sharply and spitefully
have rated and censured the decay of the buildings, the neglected
condition of the walls, the weathered aspect of the towers, the grassy
obstruction of the walks, the perishing of the trees, the mossiness and
mouldering of the artificial grottos, and whatever else of that sort was
to be observed, as our two travellers now did. By degrees, however, they
settled themselves as circumstances would admit: the artist carefully
packed up his work; they both set sail; Wilhelm accompanying him to the
upper quarter of the lake, where, by previous agreement, the former set
forth on his way to Natalia, to introduce her by his fair
landscape-papers into scenes which, perhaps, she might not soon have an
opportunity of viewing with her eyes. He was at the same time
commissioned to inform her confessionally of the late incident, which
had reduced him to a state such that he might be received with hearty
kindness by the confederates in the vow of renunciation, and with soft,
friendly treatment in the midst of them, be comforted if he could not be
healed.
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