Translations from the German (Vol 3 of 3): Tales by Musæus, Tieck, RichterCarlyle, Thomas
General
Translations from the German (Vol 3 of 3): Tales by Musæus, Tieck, Richter
Carlyle, Thomas
German fiction -- Translations into English
Fraeulein Libussa was no sharer in the vain proud disposition of her
sisters. Though she had the same capacities for penetrating the secrets
of Nature, and employing its hidden powers in her service, she remained
contented with the gifts she had derived from her maternal inheritance,
without attempting to increase them, or turn them to a source of gain.
Her vanity extended not beyond the consciousness that she was beautiful;
she cared not for riches; and neither longed to be feared nor to be
honoured like her sisters. Whilst these were gadding up and down among
their country-houses, hastening from one tumultuous pleasure to another,
with the flower of the Bohemian chivalry fettered to their
chariot-wheels, she abode in her father's house, conducting the economy,
giving counsel to those who begged it, friendly help to the afflicted
and oppressed; and all from good-will, without remuneration.[13] Her
temper was soft and modest, and her conduct virtuous and discreet, as
beseems a noble virgin. She might secretly rejoice in the victories
which her beauty gained over the hearts of men, and accept the sighing
and cooing of her languishing adorers as a just tribute to her charms;
but none dared speak a word of love to her, or venture on aspiring to
her heart. Yet Amor, the roguish urchin, takes a pleasure in exerting
his privileges on the coy; and often hurls his burning torch upon the
lowly straw-roof, when he means to set on fire a lofty palace.
[13] _Nulla Crocco virilis sexus proles fuit, sed moriturus tres a
morte sua filias superstites reliquit, omnes ut ipse erat
fatidicas, vel magas potius, qualis Medea et Circe fuerant. Nam
Bela natu filiarum maxima herbis incantandis Medeam imitabatur,
Tetcha (Therba) natu minor carminibus magicis Circem reddebat. Ad
utramque frequens multitudinis concursus; dum alii amores sibi
conciliare, alii cum bona valetudine in gratiam redire, alii res
amissas recuperare cupiunt. Illa arcem Belinam, haec altera arcem
Thetin ex mercenaria pecunia, nihil enim gratuito faciebant,
aedificandam curavit. Liberalior in hac re Lybussa natu minima
apparuit, ut quae a nemine quidquam extorquebat, et potius fata
publica omnibus, quam privata singulis, praecinebat: qua
liberalitate, et quia non gratuita solum sed etiam minus fallace
praedictione utebatur, assecuta est ut in locum patris Crocci
subrogaretur_.--DUBRAVIUS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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