Withered Leaves: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)Gottschall, Rudolf von
General
Withered Leaves: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)
Gottschall, Rudolf von
German fiction -- Translations into English
It is, I believe, by a certain Kosegarten, who bore a very well-known
and much promising name, but, alas! was a parson, somewhere near some
large waters, whence he drew his poetry. Then comes Heine, and calls
the sunset an 'old piece;' capital, and how the scales fall from our
eyes. That is the man for me! Do not you rave about 'Lorelei,' too, my
Fräulein? Should you not like to be a 'Lorelei?'"
"Papa would first have to buy me a golden comb."
"And what will you give for my secret?"
"Still nothing, Herr Salomon."
"Well, I am disinterested, my Fräulein!
'My blossoming life thou hast poisoned,
And made it hateful to me.'
But I revenge myself nobly! I know that my communication will cause you
pleasure; and, besides, I know that I shall be grieved at your
pleasure; I know that I cannot reckon upon the least reward as
messenger--and yet--I will make the communication--Herr von Blanden has
just arrived."
The effect of the news was, indeed, greater than even Salomon had
expected. Rath and Räthin started up from the bench, with countenances
radiant with pleasure! Eva stood as if transfigured with blissful
delight in the last gleam of the evening's glow, and folded her hands.
Yes, she even vouchsafed a kindly smile and a word of thanks to the
head scholar. The latter had greeted Herr von Blanden immediately upon
his arrival, as he drove up to the inn, and informed him where he
should find the Kalzow family. Therefore, it was decided to await him
up here. Eva's heart beat violently; she did not listen to her parents'
remarks, which suddenly spent themselves in Blanden's praise, his
punctuality and reliability, still less to Salomon's recitals, which
scattered abundant daring allusions and poetical quotations, in order
to console himself for the fresh triumphs which his rival celebrated.
"Did I not say that I should give you pleasure?
'To all, its arms doth Mirth unfold,
And every heart forgets its cares--
And Hope is busy in the old.'
But I bear a striking resemblance to Cassandra, and wander like her--
'Unjoyous in the joyful throng.'
It is so charming to be so watched for, greeted with such delight! This
Blanden! But one must console oneself--
'With careless hands they mete our doom,
Our woe or welfare, Hazard gives
Patroclus slumbers in the tomb.'
And still it is melancholy--
'Gleams my love in beauty's splendour,
Like the child of ocean's foam,
As his bride my mistress tender
Is a stranger taking home.'"
Eva would have been best pleased to hasten down the footpath to meet
her beloved one, if she had been free to follow her heart's impulses.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account