Eckart then took the reins of government into his own hands, fulfilling the trust reposed in him in such a humane and prudent way as to excite the admiration of all the country. Shortly afterwards, the report spread more and more on all sides, of the arrival of the strange musician from Venus-berg, who seduced his victims with the strange sweetness of his tones; so that they disappeared without leaving a trace behind. Many gave credit to the report--others not; while Eckart again bethought him of the unhappy old man whom he had seen so forlorn and crazed upon the mountain. "I have now adopted you as my children," he said to the young princes, as he one day sat with them on the bill before the castle; "your happiness is now become my inheritance; I shall continue to survive, after my departure, in your welfare and your good conduct." They all stretched themselves on the hill-side, whence they could look far into the distant and lovely prospect beyond; and Eckart would then strive to subdue the regrets he felt for his own children, though they would appear as if passing over the mountain before him, while in the distance he thought he heard the faint echo of delicious music gradually growing louder. Hark! comes it not like dreams Before the morning beams? From some far greenwood bowers, Such as the night-bird pours, So sweet, and such its dying fall?-- Those tones the magic song recall; And Eckart sees each princely cheek Flushed with the joys its victims seek; Wild wishes seized each youthful breast For some far unknown bourne of rest. "Away to the mountains!" they cried; "the deep woods Where the trees, winds, and waters make music for gods: Sweet, strange, secret voices are singing there now, And invite us to seek their blest Eden below." In strange attire then came in view The unblest sorcerer, and anew Inspired the maddening youths, till bright And brighter shone the sunny light. Trees, streams, and flowers danced in the rays; Through earth, air, heavens, were heard the lays; The grass, fields, forests, trembling join'd That magic tumult wild and blind. Swift as a shadow fade the ties That bind the soul to earth, and rise Soft longings for unearthly scenes; And strange confusion intervenes Between the seen and unseen world, Till reason from her seat is hurl'd, And madly bursts the soul away To mingle in the infernal fray. The trusty Eckart felt it, But wist not of the cause; His heart the music melted, He wondered what it was. The world seems new and fairer, All blooming like the rose; Can Eckart be a sharer In raptures such as those? "Ha! are those tones restoring My wife and noble sons?-- All that I was deploring-- My lost beloved ones?"