第18章

Sheshruggedhershoulderscarelessly。"WereIafraidofyou，I

wouldnotallowyoutowalkbehindme。Butgrantmeonerequest，willyou？"

"Speak，Eliza，andwhateveritmaybe，Iwillcomplywithit。"

"Well，then，sir，besokindasnottospeakwithme。Speakingexhaustsusandmakesusabsent—minded。Wehavealongmarchbeforeus，andmustsaveourbreath，anddevoteourwholeattentiontotheroute;foritwillleadusoverthenarrowpathsofthechamois—

hunters，andasinglefalsestepmayhurlusintoanabyss。

Therefore，sir，praydonotaddressmeuntilIspeaktoyou。"

"Iwillobey，"saidUlrich，humbly。"Leadtheway;Iwillfollow。"

Shenoddedtohim，andadvancedthroughthenarrowvalley。Theroadsoonbecamesteeper，andledthempastprecipices，fromonerocktoanother，allofwhichwerespannedbynarrowplanks，underwhichunfathomablechasmsyawned。Thenitledthroughthicketsofshrubberyandpine—forests，ordownprecipitousslopes，andoversmallfragmentsofrock，whichgavewayateverystep，androlledintothedepth。Elizasuddenlystoodstillandbrokethesilenceforthefirsttime。

"Youmustnotgobehindmehere，sir，"shesaid，"fortheloosestoneswouldnotpermityoutoadvance。Cometome，andgivemeyourhand。Wemustwalksidebyside。"

Hewasimmediatelybyherside，andtookherhand。"MayIspeaknow，Eliza？"heasked。

"No，"shesaid，imperatively，"wehavenotimeforchatting。

Forward！"

Andtheycontinuedascendingthemountain。Thevalley，andeventhemountain—forest，layalreadydeepunderthem。Onlyscatteredandstuntedtreesstoodhereandthere，andfinallyeventhesedisappearedentirely。Themooncommencedpalingintheheavens，andyetitdidnotbecomedarker，forthegraytwilightwaslitupattimeswithapurplelustre;thesmall，scuddingcloudsbegantoturnred;thepale，foggymountain—peakscolored，andastrangewhisperingpassedthroughtheair。

Nowtheyhadreachedthesummit，andthepeakonwhichtheywerestandingaffordedthemastrikinglybeautifulview。

"Thisistheplacewherewemayrest，"saidEliza，drawingadeepbreath。

"AndmayIspeaknow，Eliza？"askedUlrich。

"No，"shesaid;"doyounotseethatGodisspeakingnow？"

Andshepointedtothepartofthehorizonwhich，radiantinitscrimsonlustre，layattheendofthelovelyvalleyopeningbeforethem。Gazingatit，Elizasanknoiselesslydownonthefragmentofarock，andclaspingherhandsonherknees，shecontemplatedthegloriousspectaclebywhichGodspeakstomaneverymorning。

Thevalleywasstillwrappedinthegloomoftwilight，butbehindtheflatandgently—roundedmountainsyonderrosetheflamingglowofradiantcrimson，andsentafewpurplecloudsasheraldsoftheapproachingmajestyintotheazuresky。ArosyhuecoveredtheglaciersoftheVenedigerandGross—Glockner，whichlookeddowninproudmajestyonthemountainsborderingthevalley，andwhichhadhithertowrappedtheirsummitsinveilsofglisteningsilver。Onbeholdingthedivinemajestyofthesun，theydroppedtheirveils，theirsummitscrimsonedandloomeduptotheskyindazzlingsplendor。Theraysgildingthemshedalustreonthelowerwoodedmountains，greetedthespiresofthechurchesrisingamidstthevillages，dissipatedthemistwhichhadhithertofilledthevalley，andconvertedthewatersofthefoamingIsel，meanderingthroughthevalley，intoliquidgold。Thegloomentirelydisappeared，andthewholelandscapewasradiantinitsmorningbeauty。Godhadwilledthatthereshouldbelight，andtheearthlaysmilingandsurpassinglybeautifulunderthefirstglowingraysofthesun。

Elizagazedwitharaptsmileuponthesublimescene;thecloudshaddisappearedfromherbrowalso，andthegloomhadvanishedfromhereyes。

"Oh，howbeautifulistheworld！howbeautifulismydearTyrol！"

sheexclaimed，fervently。"Igreetyou，belovedmountainsguardingourfrontiers！Igreetyou，Gross—GlocknerandVenediger！Yes，gazeupontheTyrol，fornowyoumayrejoiceoverit！Theenemyisnolongerinthecountry，andIambringingyouthelastBavarianwhoisstillhere，thatyoumaysendhimacrosstheborder。Sir，"sheadded，turningherface，illuminatedbythesun，slowlytotheyoungman，whohadnotcontemplatedthesun，butonlyherface，"wemustparthere。Ionlyintendedtoconductyouhither，totheKalserThoerl。YouwillnowdescendtothevillageofKals，whichyouseeinthevalleyyonder。Look，backthere，itsredroofsarerisingoutofthegreenshrubbery。Youwillgototheinnthere，andgivethislettertoLebrechtPanzl，theinnkeeper。Heismymother"sbrother，andshewriteshiminthislettertogiveyouareliableguide，whoistoconductyouoverthePruschlerThoerlandtheKatzensteintoHeiligenblut。YouwillreachHeiligenblutinsevenhours。ItsinhabitantsspeakBavarianGerman;yourBavariandialectwillnotbesuspicioustothem，andyouwilleasilyfindthereaguidetoconductyouwhereveryouwishtogo。Youwillfindsomefoodforto—

dayinthehaversackhere，andalsosomemoney，andpowderandlead。

Takeit，sir;hereistherifle，andherethehaversack。Unlessyouhavethemwithyou，noonewilltakeyouforagenuineTyrolese。

There。Putyourclothesintothesack，youcancarrythembetterthatway;hangtherifleroundyourshoulder，andthenadieu？"

"Andyouthink，Eliza，Icanacceptallthiskindnessandmagnanimity？"criedUlrich，vehemently;"youthinkIcanacceptatyourhandsfood，money——nay，more，mylife，myhonor，andleaveyouwithacold"thankyou，"afterdenyingandinsultingyouinthedespairofmywoundedmilitaryhonor？No，Eliza，youhavemistakenmycharacter。Iwillnotgo，Iwillnotleaveyou。Ifollowedyouheretoseehowfaryourmagnanimityandnobleself—abnegationwouldgo;butnowIshallreturnwithyoutoWindisch—Matrey。Yourfatherinvitedtotheweddingthemenwhowishedtokillmeyesterday;theywillawaitusatthechurchatninethismorning，andtheyshallnotwaitinvain。Come，Eliza，letusreturntoWindisch—Matrey;forallyourkindnessandmagnanimityIshallgiveyoutheonlythingIhavetogive，myname。Youwill，youshallbecomemywife！Come，yourfatherandyourfriendsawaitusatthechurch;Iwillconductyouthitherandtothealtar。"

"Iwillnotdoit，"sheexclaimedproudly;"for，assureasthereisaGodinheaven，Ishouldsay"no"beforethealtar，andrejectyourhand。"

"Well，then，dothat，"hesaid，gently;"Ihavedeservedthishumiliation;Ioweyouanopportunitytowreakyourvengeanceonme。"

"Idonotwanttoavengemyself。IhavesworntomyselfandtomydearElzatosaveyou，andIwill。Go，sir;timeisfleeting，andyouhaveamarchofsevenhoursbeforeyou。"

"No，Iwillnotgo，"criedUlrich，vehemently;"Icannotgo，forI

loveyou，Eliza，Oh，Ihavelovedyoualongwhile，butmyhaughtyheartrevoltedatthislove，andwouldnotyieldtoit;andyetI

wasdeeply，passionatelyenamouredofyou。Butmyheartdidnotknowitself，itbelievedatlastthatitmighthateyou，whenallatonceyourgenerosity，lenity，andmagnanimitydissipatedallmistsconcealingmyheartfrommyeyes，andIperceivedhowpassionatelyI

lovedyou。Oh，Eliza，belovedgirl，donotturnfromme！Givemeyourhand;letusgohome;acceptmyhand，becomemywife！Lovebeseechesofyounowwhatpriderefusedtoyoubeforeacceptmyhand，myname！Letusdescendintothevalley，gotothechurch，andbemarried。"

Sheshookherheadslowly。"Ihavealreadytoldyou，"shesaid，"thatIshouldsay"no"beforethealtar。Wedonotbelongtogether。

Youareanobleman，andI，asyouhaveoftencalledmeinyouranger，amapeasantgirl;youareaBavarian，andI，thankGod，amagainanAustrian。Wedonotbelongtogether，andIbelieveitwouldnotbehooveyoutoappearwithmenowbeforethealtarandmarryme。

Foreveryonewouldthinkyoutookmeonlytosaveyourlife，andyourhonorwouldbelost，notonlyinBavaria，butalsohereamongus。Thebravemenwoulddespiseyou，andthetempt——Ifeltitwhenyoulookedatmesodisdainfullyyesterday——isworsethandeath。Go，therefore，mydearsir;yourhonorrequiresit。"

"Well，then，youareright:Iwillgo。IseethatImustnotapplyforyourhandatthisjuncture。ButIshallreturnsosoonaspeaceisrestoredtothecountry，andwhenallthesetroublesareover。

Promiseme，Eliza，thatyouwillwaitformeandnotforgetme。ForIsweartoyou，Ishallreturnandmarryyou，inspiteofthewholeworld。"

"Youwillnot，"shesaid，shakingherbead，"forIshallnottakeyou。Idonotloveyou。"

"Eliza，"hecried，seizingherhandimpetuously，andgazingdeepintohereyes，"youarejustasmuchmistakenasIwasmyself。I

lovedyoualongtimewithoutknowingit，andthus，sweetone，youlovemetoo！"

"No，"sheexclaimed，vehemently，andturningverypale，"no，Idonotloveyou！"

"Yes，youdo，"hesaid，tenderly。"Ifeltit，andknewitbythetoneinwhich，steppingbeforeme，andshieldingmewithyourbody，youexclaimedyesterday，"Ifyoushoothim，youshallkillmetoo。"

Pityandcompassiondonotspeakthus;onlylovehassuchtonesofanguish，despair，andheroism。Ifeltitatthatmoment，andtheblissfuldelightwhichfilledmyheartonrecognizingit，mademeatlengthconsciousofmyownlove。IconfessedtomyselfthatInevershouldbeabletoloveanyotherwomanonearth，andneverwouldmarryanyotherwomanthanyou。Ob，Eliza，letusnolongerresistthehappinessthatisinstoreforus。Letthewholepastbeburiedbehindus。Letthefuturebeours，andwithitloveandhappiness！"

Sheshookherheadslowly。"Youhavereadbadlyinmyheart，"shesaid;"youdonotunderstandtheletterswritteninit，andwhatyouspellfromitisfalse。Idonotloveyou，andwouldneverconsenttobecomeyourwife。Letusdropthesubject。Wetwocanneverbehusbandandwife，butwemayremembereachotherasgoodfriends。

Andso，sir，Iwillalwaysrememberyou，andshallbegladtohearthatyouarewellandhappy。Butletussaynomoreaboutit，andgo。Youhaveamarchofsevenhoursbeforeyou;Imustbeathomeagainbyeighto"clock，inordernottokeepthemenwaiting。Letuspart，therefore。"

"Well，then，"sighedUlrich，"itisyourwill，andwemustpart，butnotforever。Iswear，byGodAlmightyandmylove，Ishallreturnwhenthewarisover，andwhenthequarrelsofthenationsaresettled。Ishallreturntoaskyouifyouwillbemine，mybelovedwife，andifyouwillatlastcrownmylovewithhappiness。Hush，donotcontradictme，anddonottellmeagainthatyoudonotloveme。

Ihopeinthefuture，andweshallseewhetheritwillbringmehappinessordoommetodespair。Farewell，then，Eliza;andifyouwillyetgivetothepoorwanderer，towhomyouhavegivenlife，food，money，andclothes，apricelesstreasure，atalismanthatwillshieldhimfromalltemptationsoftheworld，thengivemeakiss！"

"No，sir;anhonestTyrolesegirlneverkissesanymanbuttheonewhosewifesheistobe。Yousee，therefore，thatIcannotgiveyouakiss。Go，sir。ButhaveyounocommissionstogivemeforyouruncleandmydearElza？"

"Greetthemboth;tellthemthatIloveyou，Eliza，andthatyourejectedmyproposals。"

"Thatdoesnotconcernanybody，andonlywetwoandthegoodGodshallknowit，butnooneelse。But，sir，givemeasouvenirforElza;itwillgladdenherheart。"

"Ihavenothingtogiveher，"hesaid，shrugginghisshoulders。

ShepointedtothecrimsonAlpinerosesbloomingattheirfeetamidstthegrassandmoss。

"Gathersomeoftheseflowers，andgivethemtome，"shesaid;"I

willtakethemtoElza，andtellherthatyougatheredtheflowersforher。"

Hekneltdown，gatheredahandfulofAlpineroses，andtiedthemtogetherwithafewbladesofgrass。"Iwould，"hesaid，stillkneelinginthegrass，"theyweremyrtlesthatIwasgatheringforyou，Eliza，foryou，myaffiancedbride，andthatyouwouldacceptthematmyhandsasthesacredgiftoflove。There，takethebouquetforElza，andgiveittoherwithmygreetings。"

Shestretchedoutherhandtotakeit;butUlrich，insteadofgivingittoher，pressedthebouquettohislips，andimprintedanardentkissontheflowers;thenonlydidhehandittoEliza。——"Now，Eliza，"hesaid，"takeit。Yourefusedmeakiss，butyouwillcarrymyglowingkisshomewithyou，andwithitalsomyheart。Ishallcomebackonedaytodemandofyouyourheartandmykiss。Farewell！

Itisyourwill，andsoImustgo。Idonotsay，forgetmenot;butIshallreturn，andaskyouthen:`Haveyouforgottenme？Willyoubecomemywife？"Untilthen，farewell！"

Hegazedatherwithalonglookofloveandtenderness;sheavoidedmeetinghislook，andwhenhesawthis，asmile，radiantassunshineandbliss，illuminatedhisfeatures。

"Go，sir，"shesaid，inalowvoice，avertingherface。

"Iamgoing，Eliza，"heexclaimed。"Farewell！"

Heseizedherhandimpetuously，imprintedonitaburningkissbeforeshewasabletopreventhim，droppedit，andturnedtodescendtheslopewithaslowstep。

Elizastoodmotionless，andasiffascinated;shegazedafterhim，andfollowedwithanabsorbedlookhistall，nobleform，descendingthemountain，surroundedbyahaloofsunshine。

AllatonceUlrichstoodstillandturnedtoher。"Eliza，"heshouted，"didyoucallme？ShallIreturntoyou？"

Sheshookherheadandmadeaviolentgestureindicatingthatheshouldnotreturn，butsaidnothing;thewordschokedinherbreast。

Hewavedhishandtoher，turnedagain，andcontinueddescendingtheslope。

Elizalookedafterhim;herfaceturnedpalerandpaler，andherlipsquiveredmorepainfully。Oncetheyopenedasiftocallhimbackwithacryofanguishandlove;butEliza，pressingherhandviolentlyuponhermouth，forcedthecrybackintoherheart，andgazeddownonUlrich"srecedingform。

Alreadyhehaddescendedhalftheslope;nowhereachedtheedgeoftheforest，andalas！disappearedinthethicket。

Eliza，utteringaloudcry，kneltdown，andtears，herlong—

restrained，scaldingtears，streamedlikeriversdownhercheeks。

Sheliftedherarms，herclaspedbands，toheaven，andmurmuredwithquiveringlips:"Protecthim，myGod，forThouknowesthowintenselyIlovehim！"

Sheremainedalongtimeonherknees，weeping，praying，strugglingwithhergriefandherlove。Butthenallatonceshesprangtoherfeet，brushedthetearsfromhereyes，anddrewadeepbreath。

"Imustandwillnolongerweep，"shesaidtoherselfinaloud，imperativevoice。"OtherwisetheywouldseethatIhadbeenweeping，andnoonemustknowthat。Imustdescendinordertobeathomeintime，andthenIwilltellfatherandtheothermenthatUlrichneverwasmybetrothed，andthatIsaidsoonlytosavehislife。

TheywillforgivemeforhelpinghimtoescapewhenItellthemthatIneverlovedhimnorwouldhavetakenhim，becauseheisaBavarian，butthatIsavedhimbecauseheisanearrelativeofmydearElza。Andaftertellingandexplainingallthistothemen，I

shallgotoElza，givehertheflowers，andtellherthatUlrichsentthemtoher，andthathislastwordwasalove—greetingforher。God，forgivemethisfalsehood！ButElzaloveshim，anditwillgladdenherheart。Shewillpreservethisbouquettoherwedding—

day，andshewillnotnoticethatIkeptoneflowerfromitformyself。Itistheflowerwhichhekissed;itshallbemine。I

suppose，goodGod，thatImaytakeit，andthatitisnotheftformetodoso？"

Shelookeduptoheavenwithabeseechingglance;thenshesoftlydrewoneoftheflowersfromthebouquet，pressedittoherlips，andconcealeditinherbosom。

"IwillpreservethisflowerwhileIlive，"sheexclaimed。"GodstrengthenedmyheartsothatIwasabletorejecthim;butIshalllovehimforever，andthisflowerismywedding—bouquet。Ishallneverwearanother！"

SheextendedherarmsinthedirectionwhereUlrichhaddisappeared。

"Farewell！"shecried。"Igreetyouathousandtimes，andmyheartgoeswithyou！"

ThensheturnedandhastilydescendedthepathwhichshehadascendedwithUlrichvonHohenberg。

CHAPTERXXIII

THETRIUMPHOFDEATH

ItwasawondrouslybeautifulmorninginMay;thesunshoneclearandbright;thebirdssanginalltheshrubsandtrees，andthegayspringflowersexhaledtheirfragrantodorsinallthegardens。

Naturehaddonneditsholidayattire，andyethumanitywasinmourning;thesunshoneclearandbright，andyettheeyesofmenweresombreandlustreless，andinsteadofrejoicingoverthefreshverdureandtheblossomsofspring，theygrieved，andtheirheartswerefrozenwithcareandpain。

FortheEmperorNapoleonhadraisedhisproudhandagainagainstGermany;hehaddefeatedtheAustriansatRatisbonandLandshut，andmadehistriumphantentranceintoViennaonthe12thofMay，1809。

Forthesecondtimetheimperialfamily，fleeingfromthevictoriousNapoleon，hadbeencompelledtoleavethecapital;forthesecondtimetheforeignemperoroccupiedthepalaceofSchoenbrunn，andViennahadtobowagaintothewilloftheall—powerfulconqueror。

TheEmperorFrancishadescapedwithhiswifeandchildrentoHungary，andVienna，whoseinhabitantshadatfirstswornenthusiasticallytodefendtheircitytothelastman，andlayitinashesratherthansurrenderittotheFrench，hadneverthelessopeneditsgatesalreadyonthe12thofMaytotheEmperorNapoleonandhisarmy。Ithadtobowtosternnecessity，forduringthepreviousnighttheArchdukeMaximilian，withtheweakforceswithwhichhehadbeenorderedtodefendVienna，hadevacuatedthecity，hadburnedthegreatbridgeofThabortopreventNapoleonfrompursuinghim，andhadsucceededinescaping，leavingittotheViennesetomaketermswiththeconquerorandinvokehisclemencyandgenerosity。Theyhadthusbeenobligedtoconcealtheirrageandexasperationintheirhearts，andsurrendertothetendermerciesoftheFrenchemperor;theyhadopenedtheirgatestotheenemy，butnottheirhearts。Theirheartswerefilledwithboundlessrageandshame，whichbroughtwildimprecationstothelipsofthemen，andtearstotheeyesofthewomen。

JosephHaydn，thesilver—hairedoctogenarian，hadstilltheheartofafierymaninhisbosom，andhistremblinglipscursedtheconqueror，therelentlessfoeofAustria，andcalleddownthewrathofHeavenontheFrenchemperor，whoalwaysspokeofpeaceandconciliation，andalwaysstirredupquarrelsandenmities。ThelatestreversesofAustriahadproducedamostpainfulimpressionupontheagedmaestro，andtheravishingjoywhichhadilluminatedJosephHaydn"sfaceattheperformanceof"TheCreation，"hadlongsincedisappearedfromhiscarewornandmournfulcountenance。Hiseyesweregloomyanddim，andoftenveiledwithtears;andwhenheplayedhisimperialhymn，ashedideverymorning，hecouldnotsingtoit，fortearschokedhisvoice，andthewords，sofullofconfidenceandtriumphanthope，seemedtohimabittermockery。

HelednowaveryquietandlonelylifeathissmallhouseintheMariahilfsuburb，andhedidnotevenleaveit，ashehadformerlyalwaysdone，onSundays，inordertogotomass。ThesightoftheFrenchuniformswoundedhisheart，andhegrievedonseeinghisbelovedVienneseoppressedandhumiliated。

"Godiseverywhere，"saidHaydntohisfaithfulservantConrad，"andHewillhearmyprayereventhoughIshouldutteritinmyquietcloset，andnotatchurch。Butto—day，myfriend，IwillpraytoGodintheopenair。Seehowgloriouslythesunshines，andhowbluetheskyis！To—dayisSunday。Letus，therefore，putonourSundayclothes。Conrad，givemethefineringwhichthegreatKingofPrussiapresentedtome，andthencometohearmassinmylittlegarden。"

ConradfetchedquicklytheSundayclothesofhismaster;hehelpedhimtoputonthesilkenandsilver—embroideredcoat，andputthelargediamond—ring，whichFredericktheGreathadonedaysenttothegreatmasterofharmony，onhisfinger。Thenhehandedhimhishatandhisstrongcane，whichwasadornedwithagoldencross—

piece，thatthetotteringoctogenarianmightleanonit。JosephHaydnnowlefttheroomslowly，hisrighthandleaningonhiscane，hisleftarmrestingontheshoulderofhisservant。Behindhimwalkedwithagravesteptheoldcat，anheirloomfromHaydn"slamentedwife，andhencehighlyprizedandhonoredbytheagedmaestro。Purringsoftly，nowraisingitsbeautifullongtail，nowrollingitup，thecatfollowedcloseinthefootstepsofitsmaster，throughthehallandacrosstheyardtothesmallgarden。

"Howbeautifulitishere！"saidHaydn，standingstillinthedoorofthegarden，andslowlylookingaroundattheflowersandshrubbery，thehummingbeesandflittingbutter—flies。"Oh，howgloriouslybeautifulisGod"screation，andhowradiant——"

"Howradiantisnature，"interruptedConrad;"howbrilliantlythesunshines，andhowsplendidthelawnlooks！"

"Youareafool，oldConrad，torepeatthesewordsfromMY

"Creation，""saidHaydn，withagentlesmile。"IwasnotthinkingofMY"Creation"atthismoment，butofGod"screation。AndHecertainlyknewmoreaboutthemusicofthecreationthanIdid，and—

—justlistenhowthenightingalesingsintheelder—bushyonder！ItisanairsuchasistobefoundonlyinGod"sCreation，and，asJosephHaydn，withallhistalentsandenthusiasm，neverwasabletocompose。Oh，howsweetlythisprimadonnaassolutaofthegoodGodsings，andwhatdivinemelodies，modulations，andharmoniesshewarblesforth，and——Butwhatisthat？"

"ThatistheparrotsinginganairfromJosephHaydn"s"Creation，""

exclaimedConrad，burstingintotriumphantlaughter。"Andjustlisten，doctor，theprimadonnaassolutaofthegoodGodhasbecomeentirelysilent，andlistenswithdelighttothedivinemelodies，modulations，andharmoniesofmydearmasterJosephHaydn。"

"Youareafool，Conrad，despiteyourseventyyears，"saidHaydn，"tocalloldPaperlmyprimadonnaassoluta，andcomparehimwiththenightingale。Buttellme，forGod"ssake，wheredidthebirdhearthatmelody？Why，Paperlwhistlesthegreatbase—airfrom"TheCreation"asthoughhewerethefirstsinger。Wheredidhelearnit？"

"Itaughthimthemelody，doctor，"saidConrad，proudly;"Igavehimlessonsforthreemonths，andhetookpainstolearnthemelody，forheknewfullwellthatwetwowerepreparingalittlesurpriseandjoyforourdearmaster，thegreatJosephHaydn。"

"AndthatisthereasonwhyIhavenotseenPaperlforsolong，"

saidHaydn，noddinghisheadgently。"Ididnotwishtoinquireafterhim，forIwasafraidtheanswerwouldbethatthebirdwasdeadandhadgonehometomydearoldwife。"

"Well，IamsurePaperlwouldnevergotoher，"saidConrad，laughing;"thetwocouldnevergetalongwitheachother，andwerealwaysquarrelling。WheneverPaperlcouldcatchoneofyourwife"sfingers，hebititwithhisthickbeak，andshehatedthebirdcordiallyforit，andwouldhavepreferredsendinghimtothegravethandescendingintoitherself。ButPaperldidnotdie，andyouneednotbeanxiousonhisaccount，doctor。Suchparrotsliveathousandyears。Therefore，Ilockedhimupinmychamberforthreemonths，andtaughthimthebeautifulair，thatthebirdmightwhistleittomankindathousandyearshence，andremindallofthegreatcomposer，JosephHaydn。"

"Ah，mydearoldConrad，"sighedHaydn，sinkingintotheeasy—chairwhichConradhadplacedforhimunderthefragrantelder—bush，"athousandyearshencenoonewillknowanythingaboutus，andweshallbenothingbutdustreturnedtodust。ButGodwillremain，andHissunwillshineathousandyearshenceasgloriouslyasitdoesto—day;andHisnightingaleswillsingthesamewonderfulmelodiesfromHiscreationlongaftermy`Creation"hasbeenforgotten。"

Hepaused，andclaspinghishandsdevoutly，liftedhiseyestoheaven。Byhisside，onthehighpole，itsrightlegfastenedtoitwithasmallsilverchain，theparrotsat，andfixeditspiercing，sagaciouseyesuponhim;thecatlayatHaydn"sfeet，andgazedwithphilosophicalequanimityattheflieswhichwerebuzzingfromflowertoflower，andprickedupitsearsattentivelywheneverasmallbirdrustledintheshrubbery，orskippedmerrilyfrombranchtobranchinthefragrantwalnuttree。Besidetheeasy—chairstoodConrad，theoldservant，hisfaithful，honestfaceturnedtowardhismasterwithanexpressionofinfinitetenderness，andquiteabsorbedincontemplatingthismild，smiling，andcalmoctogenarian，whoseeyeswerelookingaroundslowly，andseeminglygreetingGodandNature。

Inthedistancebellswereringingandcallingdevoutworshiperstodivineservice;theirnotesresoundedtremulouslythroughtheairlikeasolemnaccompanimenttothevoicesofNature。

"Oh，howbeautiful，howbeautiful！"murmuredHaydn。"WhycanInotexhalewiththissighofjoymyoldlife，whichisnolongergoodforanything？WhycanInotdiewiththisprayerofgratitudetowardGodonmylips，andwaftmysouluptoheaven，asthatbirdyonderisatthismomentsoaringtowardthesun！"

"Oh，sir，whydoyoutalkalreadyofdying？"criedConrad，anxiously;"youmustliveyetalongwhile，ajoytomankind，andhonoredandesteemedbythewholeworld。"

"Andaburdentomyself，"sighedHaydn。"Iamexhausted，Conrad;I

havenolongerstrengthenoughtolive。Thisunfortunatewarcrushedtothegroundandbrokemypoorheart。[Footnote:Haydn"sownwords。——"Zeitgenossen，"vol。iv。，p。36。]WhenNapoleonmadehissecondentranceintoVienna，andourgoodEmperorFrancishadtoescapeagainfromthecapital，Ifeltasthoughmyheartwererentasunder，andthisrentwillneverhealagain。Themisfortunesofmyfatherlandwillcausemetobleedtodeath！Ah，howdreadfulitisthatAustriaandmyemperorwerehumiliatedsoprofoundly，andthattheyhadtobowtotheEmperoroftheFrench！IcannotcomprehendwhytheLordpermitsit，andwhyHedoesnothurldownHisthunderboltsupontheheadofthishypocriticalFrenchemperor，whothrowsthefirebrandofwarintoallpartsofEurope，whoalwayshaspharisaicalwordsofpeaceinhismouth，andgiveshimselftheappearanceofwishingtoreconcileall，whenheisintentonlyonsettingallatvariance。Oh，Conrad，whenIthinkofthisEmperorNapoleon，oftheinnocentbloodwhichhehasalreadyshed，andofthemanythousandvictimswhichhavealreadyfallentohisambition，myheartswellsupinboundlessexasperation，andIbegintodoubteventhegoodnessandjusticeofGod！——Buthush，hush，mywildheart，"heinterruptedhimself，liftinghiseyeswithabeseechingglancetoheaven。"Godwillmanageeverythingforthebest。Hewilloneday，withabeckofHishand，hurltheFrenchusurperfromhisthrone，andcauseAustriatorisegreatandpowerfulfromherhumiliatingposition。HewillprotectGermanyfromthewrongsinflicteduponherbyFrance，andavengethedisgracewhicheveryGermanhastosufferatthebandsoftheFrench。ThatisthehopewhichIshalltakewithmeintomygrave;thatistheconfidenceI

haveinThee，OmyGod！"

Heliftedbothhishandstowardheaven，andprayedinalowvoice。

Thenheroseslowlyfromhischair，andturnedhisheadwithsmilinggreetingsonallsides。

"Conrad，"hesaid，gently，"ItakeleaveofNatureto—day，foritseemstomeasifInevershouldseeagainmydearlittlegarden，theflowersandbirds，thesunandthesky。Oh，farewell，then，greatandholyNature！Ihavelovedtheepassionatelyallmylife，andglorifiedtheeinmyworkstothebestofthepowerwhichGodimpartedtome。Farewell，Nature！farewell，sunshineandfragrantflowers！JosephHaydntakesleaveofyou，forhistaskisfulfilled，andhissoulisweary。Come，myoldConrad，conductmebacktothehouse。Iwillreturntomyroom。Iamtired，ah，soexceedinglytired！"

HepassedhisarmaroundConrad"sneck，and，leaninghisotherhandonhiscane，walkedslowlyandpantinglyupthenarrowpath。Atthismomentthenightingaleintheelder—bushrecommenceditsjubilantsong，andatthesametimetheparrotraiseditsshrillvoice，andbegantowhistlethesweetnotesoftheairfromHaydn"s"Creation。"

Haydnstoodstillandlistened。"Conrad，"hesaid，inalowvoice，"wewillnowconsultanoracleastomylifeanddeath。Iftheparrotpausesfirst，Ishalldiesoon;ifthenightingalepauses，Godwillpermitmetoliveawhilelonger。"

Heliftedhiseyesdevoutlytothesky，overwhoseazureplainwhitecloudletswerescuddinglikesilverswans，andhislipsmutteredalowprayer。

Thenightingalestillsangitswonderfullove—songs，andtheparrottriedtodrownitsnoteswithHaydn"sbeautifulmelody。

Conradsmiledblissfully。"MyPaperlhasalongbreath，"hesaid，"andthenightingalewillbeunabletocopewithhim;Rupertwillout—singit。"

Butthenightingale，asifirritatedbythisrivalry，nowseemedtoputforthitswholeartandstrength。Theringingtrillswerefollowedbylong，sweet，flute—notes，whichfilledtheairlikeajoyoushymnoftenderness，drowningthevoicesofallotherbirds，andthesighingbreeze，andseemedtoarousetheflowersfromtheirsweetslumber，tilltheytrembledwithblissfultransports，andsoftlyraisedtheirflowerycrownstowardthebloomingelder，inwhosedarkfoliagewasconcealedthenightingale，Nature"sgreatandyetmodestartiste。

Yes，allNatureseemedtolistenwithblissfulattentiontothiswonderfulsongofthenightingale，andeventheparrotcouldnolongerresistthecharm。Paperlhesitated，thencommencedagain，hesitatedasecondtime，andwassilent。

Haydndroppedhisclaspedhandsslowly，andturnedhiseyesfromheaventoearth。"Iknewitfullwell，"hemurmured;"theoraclehasdecidedmyfate，andJosephHaydn"s"Creation"issilencedbyGod"screation。Comeintothehouse，Conrad;Iamcoldandtired。Butfirstgivemeafewofmyfragrantfriends，mydearflowers。Theyshallspeaktomeinmyroomofthesplendorandbeautyoftheworld。"

Conradgatheredhastilyafullbouquetofroses，pinks，andelder—

flowers，driedthetearsfillinghiseyes，andconductedhismastercarefullybackintothehouse。

Hehadjustseatedhiminhiseasy—chair，andplacedtheembroideredcushionunderhisfeet，whentheshrillstreet—bellresoundedinthehall。

"Goandseewhoisthere，"saidHaydn，holdingthebouquetinbothhishands，andcontemplatingitwithlovingeyes。

Conradslippedoutoftheroomandreturnedinafewminutes。