第6章

IexplainedhowIhadbeenemployingmyself，andwhy。 Thenthelandlord\'spartyleft，andtherestofussetaboutourpreparationsforbreakfast，forthedawnwasreadytobreak。Iglancedfurtivelyatmypedometer，andfoundIhadmade47miles。ButIdidnotcare，forI hadcomeoutforapedestriantouranyway。 CHAPTERXIV [RaftingDowntheNeckar] WhenthelandlordlearnedthatIandmyagentswereartists，ourpartyroseperceptiblyinhisesteem；werosestillhigherwhenhelearnedthatweweremakingapedestriantourofEurope。 HetoldusallabouttheHeidelbergroad，andwhichwerethebestplacestoavoidandwhichthebestonestotarryat；hechargedmelessthancostforthethingsIbrokeinthenight；heputupafineluncheonforusandaddedtoitaquantityofgreatlight-greenplums，thepleasantestfruitinGermany；hewassoanxioustodoushonorthathewouldnotallowustowalkoutofHeilbronn，butcalledupGo\"tzvonBerlichingen\'shorseandcabandmadeusride。 Imadeasketchoftheturnout。ItisnotaWork，itisonlywhatartistscalla\"study\"——athingtomakeafinishedpicturefrom。Thissketchhasseveralblemishesinit； forinstance，thewagonisnottravelingasfastasthehorseis。Thisiswrong。Again，thepersontryingtogetoutofthewayistoosmall；heisoutofperspective，aswesay。Thetwoupperlinesarenotthehorse\'sback，theyarethereigns；thereseemstobeawheelmissing—— thiswouldbecorrectedinafinishedWork，ofcourse。 Thisthingflyingoutbehindisnotaflag，itisacurtain。 Thatotherthingupthereisthesun，butIdidn\'tgetenoughdistanceonit。Idonotremember，now，whatthatthingisthatisinfrontofthemanwhoisrunning，butIthinkitisahaystackorawoman。ThisstudywasexhibitedintheParisSalonof1879，butdidnottakeanymedal；theydonotgivemedalsforstudies。 [Figure3] Wedischargedthecarriageatthebridge。Theriverwasfulloflogs——long，slender，barklesspinelogs——andweleanedontherailsofthebridge，andwatchedthemenputthemtogetherintorafts。TheseraftswereofashapeandconstructiontosuitthecrookednessandextremenarrownessoftheNeckar。Theywerefromfiftytoonehundredyardslong，andtheygraduallytaperedfromanine-logbreadthattheirsterns，toathree-logbreadthattheirbow-ends。Themainpartofthesteeringisdoneatthebow，withapole；thethree-logbreadththerefurnishesroomforonlythesteersman，fortheselittlelogsarenotlargeraroundthananaverageyounglady\'swaist。 Theconnectionsoftheseveralsectionsoftheraftareslackandpliant，sothattheraftmaybereadilybentintoanysortofcurverequiredbytheshapeoftheriver。 TheNeckarisinmanyplacessonarrowthatapersoncanthrowadogacrossit，ifhehasone；whenitisalsosharplycurvedinsuchplaces，theraftsmanhastodosomeprettynicesnugpilotingtomaketheturns。 Theriverisnotalwaysallowedtospreadoveritswholebed——whichisasmuchasthirty，andsometimesfortyyardswide——butissplitintothreeequalbodiesofwater，bystonedikeswhichthrowthemainvolume，depth，andcurrentintothecentralone。Inlowwatertheseneatnarrow-edgeddikesprojectfourorfiveinchesabovethesurface，likethecombofasubmergedroof，butinhighwatertheyareoverflowed。AhatfulofrainmakeshighwaterintheNeckar，andabasketfulproducesanoverflow。 TherearedikesabreasttheSchlossHotel，andthecurrentisviolentlyswiftatthatpoint。Iusedtositforhoursinmyglasscage，watchingthelong，narrowraftsslipalongthroughthecentralchannel，grazingtheright-bankdikeandaimingcarefullyforthemiddlearchofthestonebridgebelow；Iwatchedtheminthisway，andlostallthistimehopingtoseeoneofthemhitthebridge-pierandwreckitselfsometimeorother，butwasalwaysdisappointed。 Onewassmashedthereonemorning，butIhadjuststeppedintomyroomamomenttolightapipe，soIlostit。 WhileIwaslookingdownupontheraftsthatmorninginHeilbronn，thedaredevilspiritofadventurecamesuddenlyuponme，andIsaidtomycomrades: \"_I_amgoingtoHeidelbergonaraft。Willyouventurewithme?\" Theirfacespaledalittle，buttheyassentedwithasgoodagraceastheycould。Harriswantedtocablehismother——thoughtithisdutytodothat，ashewasallshehadinthisworld——so，whileheattendedtothis，Iwentdowntothelongestandfinestraftandhailedthecaptainwithahearty\"Ahoy，shipmate!\"whichputusuponpleasanttermsatonce，andweentereduponbusiness。 IsaidwewereonapedestriantourtoHeidelberg，andwouldliketotakepassagewithhim。IsaidthispartlythroughyoungZ，whospokeGermanverywell，andpartlythroughMr。X，whospokeitpeculiarly。IcanUNDERSTANDGermanaswellasthemaniacthatinventedit，butITALKitbestthroughaninterpreter。 Thecaptainhitcheduphistrousers，thenshiftedhisquidthoughtfully。PresentlyhesaidjustwhatI wasexpectinghewouldsay——thathehadnolicensetocarrypassengers，andthereforewasafraidthelawwouldbeafterhimincasethemattergotnoisedaboutoranyaccidenthappened。SoICHARTEREDtheraftandthecrewandtookalltheresponsibilitiesonmyself。 Witharattlingsongthestarboardwatchbenttotheirworkandhovethecableshort，thengottheanchorhome，andourbarkmovedoffwithastatelystride，andsoonwasbowlingalongatabouttwoknotsanhour。 Ourpartyweregroupedamidships。Atfirstthetalkwasalittlegloomy，andranmainlyupontheshortnessoflife，theuncertaintyofit，theperilswhichbesetit，andtheneedandwisdomofbeingalwayspreparedfortheworst； thisshadedoffintolow-voicedreferencestothedangersofthedeep，andkindredmatters；butasthegrayeastbegantoreddenandthemysterioussolemnityandsilenceofthedawntogiveplacetothejoy-songsofthebirds，thetalktookacheeriertone，andourspiritsbegantorisesteadily。 Germany，inthesummer，istheperfectionofthebeautiful，butnobodyhasunderstood，andrealized，andenjoyedtheutmostpossibilitiesofthissoftandpeacefulbeautyunlesshehasvoyageddowntheNeckaronaraft。 Themotionofaraftistheneedfulmotion；itisgentle，andgliding，andsmooth，andnoiseless；itcalmsdownallfeverishactivities，itsoothestosleepallnervoushurryandimpatience；underitsrestfulinfluenceallthetroublesandvexationsandsorrowsthatharassthemindvanishaway，andexistencebecomesadream，acharm，adeepandtranquilecstasy。Howitcontrastswithhotandperspiringpedestrianism，anddustyanddeafeningrailroadrush，andtediousjoltingbehindtiredhorsesoverblindingwhiteroads! Wewentslippingsilentlyalong，betweenthegreenandfragrantbanks，withasenseofpleasureandcontentmentthatgrew，andgrew，allthetime。Sometimesthebankswereoverhungwiththickmassesofwillowsthatwhollyhidthegroundbehind；sometimeswehadnoblehillsononehand，clotheddenselywithfoliagetotheirtops，andontheotherhandopenlevelsblazingwithpoppies，orclothedintherichblueofthecorn-flower； sometimeswedriftedintheshadowofforests，andsometimesalongthemarginoflongstretchesofvelvetygrass，freshandgreenandbright，atirelesscharmtotheeye。 Andthebirds!——theywereeverywhere；theysweptbackandforthacrosstheriverconstantly，andtheirjubilantmusicwasneverstilled。 Itwasadeepandsatisfyingpleasuretoseethesuncreatethenewmorning，andgradually，patiently，lovingly，clotheitonwithsplendoraftersplendor，andgloryafterglory，tillthemiraclewascomplete。 Howdifferentisthismarvelobservedfromaraft，fromwhatitiswhenoneobservesitthroughthedingywindowsofarailway-stationinsomewretchedvillagewhilehemunchesapetrifiedsandwichandwaitsforthetrain。 CHAPTERXV DowntheRiver[CharmingWatersidePictures] Menandwomenandcattlewereatworkinthedewyfieldsbythistime。Thepeopleoftensteppedaboardtheraft，asweglidedalongthegrassyshores，andgossipedwithusandwiththecrewforahundredyardsorso，thensteppedashoreagain，refreshedbytheride。 Onlythemendidthis；thewomenweretoobusy。 Thewomendoallkindsofworkonthecontinent。Theydig，theyhoe，theyreap，theysow，theybearmonstrousburdensontheirbacks，theyshovesimilaroneslongdistancesonwheelbarrows，theydragthecartwhenthereisnodogorleancowtodragit——andwhenthereis，theyassistthedogorcow。Ageisnomatter——theolderthewomanthestrongersheis，apparently。Onthefarmawoman\'sdutiesarenotdefined——shedoesalittleofeverything； butinthetownsitisdifferent，theresheonlydoescertainthings，themendotherest。Forinstance，ahotelchambermaidhasnothingtodobutmakebedsandfiresinfiftyorsixtyrooms，bringtowelsandcandles，andfetchseveraltonsofwaterupseveralflightsofstairs，ahundredpoundsatatime，inprodigiousmetalpitchers。 Shedoesnothavetoworkmorethaneighteenortwentyhoursaday，andshecanalwaysgetdownonherkneesandscrubthefloorsofhallsandclosetswhensheistiredandneedsarest。 Asthemorningadvancedandtheweathergrewhot，wetookoffouroutsideclothingandsatinarowalongtheedgeoftheraftandenjoyedthescenery，withoursun-umbrellasoverourheadsandourlegsdanglinginthewater。 Everynowandthenweplungedinandhadaswim。 Everyprojectinggrassycapehaditsjoyousgroupofnakedchildren，theboystothemselvesandthegirlstothemselves，thelatterusuallyincareofsomemotherlydamewhosatintheshadeofatreewithherknitting。 Thelittleboysswamouttous，sometimes，butthelittlemaidsstoodknee-deepinthewaterandstoppedtheirsplashingandfrolickingtoinspecttheraftwiththeirinnocenteyesasitdriftedby。Onceweturnedacornersuddenlyandsurprisedaslendergirloftwelveyearsorupward，juststeppingintothewater。Shehadnottimetorun，butshedidwhatansweredjustaswell；shepromptlydrewalitheyoungwillowboughathwartherwhitebodywithonehand，andthencontemplateduswithasimpleanduntroubledinterest。Thusshestoodwhileweglidedby。 Shewasaprettycreature，andsheandherwillowboughmadeaveryprettypicture，andonewhichcouldnotoffendthemodestyofthemostfastidiousspectator。 Herwhiteskinhadalowbankoffreshgreenwillowsforbackgroundandeffectivecontrast——forshestoodagainstthem——andaboveandoutofthemprojectedtheeagerfacesandwhiteshouldersoftwosmallergirls。 Towardnoonweheardtheinspiringcry: \"Sailho!\" \"Whereaway?\"shoutedthecaptain。 \"Threepointsofftheweatherbow!\" Weranforwardtoseethevessel。Itprovedtobeasteamboat——fortheyhadbeguntorunasteameruptheNeckar，forthefirsttimeinMay。Shewasatug，andoneofaverypeculiarbuildandaspect。Ihadoftenwatchedherfromthehotel，andwonderedhowshepropelledherself，forapparentlyshehadnopropellerorpaddles。Shecamechurningalong，now，makingadealofnoiseofonekindoranother，andaggravatingiteverynowandthenbyblowingahoarsewhistle。Shehadninekeel-boatshitchedonbehindandfollowingafterherinalong，slenderrank。Wemetherinanarrowplace，betweendikes，andtherewashardlyroomforusbothinthecrampedpassage。Asshewentgrindingandgroaningby，weperceivedthesecretofhermovingimpulse。Shedidnotdriveherselfuptheriverwithpaddlesorpropeller，shepulledherselfbyhaulingonagreatchain。 Thischainislaidinthebedoftheriverandisonlyfastenedatthetwoends。Itisseventymileslong。 Itcomesinovertheboat\'sbow，passesaroundadrum，andispayedoutastern。Shepullsonthatchain，andsodragsherselfuptheriverordownit。Shehasneitherboworstern，strictlyspeaking，forshehasalong-bladedrudderoneachendandsheneverturnsaround。 Sheusesbothruddersallthetime，andtheyarepowerfulenoughtoenablehertoturntotherightortheleftandsteeraroundcurves，inspiteofthestrongresistanceofthechain。Iwouldnothavebelievedthatthatimpossiblethingcouldbedone；butIsawitdone，andthereforeI knowthatthereisoneimpossiblethingwhichCANbedone。 Whatmiraclewillmanattemptnext? Wemetmanybigkeel-boatsontheirwayup，usingsails，mulepower，andprofanity——atediousandlaboriousbusiness。 Awireropeledfromtheforetopmasttothefileofmulesonthetow-pathahundredyardsahead，andbydintofmuchbangingandswearingandurging，thedetachmentofdriversmanagedtogetaspeedoftwoorthreemilesanhouroutofthemulesagainstthestiffcurrent。 TheNeckarhasalwaysbeenusedasacanal，andthushasgivenemploymenttoagreatmanymenandanimals； butnowthatthissteamboatisable，withasmallcrewandabushelorsoofcoal，totakeninekeel-boatsfartheruptheriverinonehourthanthirtymenandthirtymulescandoitintwo，itisbelievedthattheold-fashionedtowingindustryisonitsdeath-bed。AsecondsteamboatbeganworkintheNeckarthreemonthsafterthefirstonewasputinservice。[Figure4] Atnoonwesteppedashoreandboughtsomebottledbeerandgotsomechickenscooked，whiletheraftwaited； thenweimmediatelyputtoseaagain，andhadourdinnerwhilethebeerwascoldandthechickenshot。 ThereisnopleasanterplaceforsuchamealthanaraftthatisglidingdownthewindingNeckarpastgreenmeadowsandwoodedhills，andslumberingvillages，andcraggyheightsgracedwithcrumblingtowersandbattlements。 InoneplacewesawanicelydressedGermangentlemanwithoutanyspectacles。BeforeIcouldcometoanchorhehadgotunderway。Itwasagreatpity。Isowantedtomakeasketchofhim。Thecaptaincomfortedmeformyloss，however，bysayingthatthemanwaswithoutanydoubtafraudwhohadspectacles，butkepttheminhispocketinordertomakehimselfconspicuous。 BelowHassmersheimwepassedHornberg，Go\"tzvonBerlichingen\'soldcastle。Itstandsonaboldelevationtwohundredfeetabovethesurfaceoftheriver；ithashighvine-cladwallsenclosingtrees，andapeakedtoweraboutseventy-fivefeethigh。Thesteephillside，fromthecastlecleardowntothewater\'sedge，isterraced，andclothedthickwithgrapevines。Thisislikefarmingamansardroof。 Allthesteepsalongthatpartoftheriverwhichfurnishtheproperexposure，aregivenuptothegrape。ThatregionisagreatproducerofRhinewines。TheGermansareexceedinglyfondofRhinewines；theyareputupintall，slenderbottles，andareconsideredapleasantbeverage。 Onetellsthemfromvinegarbythelabel。 TheHornberghillistobetunneled，andthenewrailwaywillpassunderthecastle。 THECAVEOFTHESPECTER TwomilesbelowHornbergcastleisacaveinalowcliff，whichthecaptainoftheraftsaidhadoncebeenoccupiedbyabeautifulheiressofHornberg——theLadyGertrude—— intheoldtimes。Itwassevenhundredyearsago。 Shehadanumberofrichandnobleloversandonepoorandobscureone，SirWendelLobenfeld。Withthenativechuckleheadednessoftheheroineofromance，shepreferredthepoorandobscurelover。Withthenativesoundjudgmentofthefatherofaheroineofromance，thevonBerlichingenofthatdayshuthisdaughterupinhisdonjonkeep，orhisoubliette，orhisculverin，orsomesuchplace，andresolvedthatsheshouldstaythereuntilsheselectedahusbandfromamongherrichandnoblelovers。Thelattervisitedherandpersecutedherwiththeirsupplications，butwithouteffect，forherheartwastruetoherpoordespisedCrusader，whowasfightingintheHolyLand。 Finally，sheresolvedthatshewouldenduretheattentionsoftherichloversnolonger；soonestormynightsheescapedandwentdowntheriverandhidherselfinthecaveontheotherside。Herfatherransackedthecountryforher，butfoundnotatraceofher。Asthedayswentby，andstillnotidingsofhercame，hisconsciencebegantotorturehim，andhecausedproclamationtobemadethatifshewereyetlivingandwouldreturn，hewouldopposehernolonger，shemightmarrywhomshewould。 Themonthsdraggedon，allhopeforsooktheoldman，heceasedfromhiscustomarypursuitsandpleasures，hedevotedhimselftopiousworks，andlongedforthedeliveranceofdeath。 Nowjustatmidnight，everynight，thelostheiressstoodinthemouthofhercave，arrayedinwhiterobes，andsangalittleloveballadwhichherCrusaderhadmadeforher。 Shejudgedthatifhecamehomealivethesuperstitiouspeasantswouldtellhimabouttheghostthatsanginthecave，andthatassoonastheydescribedtheballadhewouldknowthatnonebutheandsheknewthatsong，thereforehewouldsuspectthatshewasalive，andwouldcomeandfindher。 Astimewenton，thepeopleoftheregionbecamesorelydistressedabouttheSpecteroftheHauntedCave。 Itwassaidthatillluckofonekindoranotheralwaysovertookanyonewhohadthemisfortunetohearthatsong。 Eventually，everycalamitythathappenedthereaboutswaslaidatthedoorofthatmusic。Consequently，noboatmenwouldconsenttopassthecaveatnight；thepeasantsshunnedtheplace，eveninthedaytime。 Butthefaithfulgirlsangon，nightafternight，monthaftermonth，andpatientlywaited；herrewardmustcomeatlast。Fiveyearsdraggedby，andstill，everynightatmidnight，theplaintivetonesfloatedoutoverthesilentland，whilethedistantboatmenandpeasantsthrusttheirfingersintotheirearsandshudderedoutaprayer。 AndnowcametheCrusaderhome，bronzedandbattle-scarred，butbringingagreatandsplendidfametolayatthefeetofhisbride。TheoldlordofHornbergreceivedhimashisson，andwantedhimtostaybyhimandbethecomfortandblessingofhisage；butthetaleofthatyounggirl\'sdevotiontohimanditspatheticconsequencesmadeachangedmanoftheknight。Hecouldnotenjoyhiswell-earnedrest。Hesaidhisheartwasbroken，hewouldgivetheremnantofhislifetohighdeedsinthecauseofhumanity，andsofindaworthydeathandablessedreunionwiththebravetrueheartwhoselovehadmorehonoredhimthanallhisvictoriesinwar。 Whenthepeopleheardthisresolveofhis，theycameandtoldhimtherewasapitilessdragoninhumandisguiseintheHauntedCave，adreadcreaturewhichnoknighthadyetbeenboldenoughtoface，andbeggedhimtoridthelandofitsdesolatingpresence。Hesaidhewoulddoit。Theytoldhimaboutthesong，andwhenheaskedwhatsongitwas，theysaidthememoryofitwasgone，fornobodyhadbeenhardyenoughtolistentoitforthepastfouryearsandmore。 TowardmidnighttheCrusadercamefloatingdowntheriverinaboat，withhistrustycross-bowinhishands。 Hedriftedsilentlythroughthedimreflectionsofthecragsandtrees，withhisintenteyesfixeduponthelowcliffwhichhewasapproaching。Ashedrewnearer，hediscernedtheblackmouthofthecave。Now——isthatawhitefigure?Yes。Theplaintivesongbeginstowellforthandfloatawayovermeadowandriver——thecross-bowisslowlyraisedtoposition，asteadyaimistaken，theboltfliesstraighttothemark——thefiguresinksdown，stillsinging，theknighttakesthewooloutofhisears，andrecognizestheoldballad——toolate!Ah，ifhehadonlynotputthewoolinhisears! TheCrusaderwentawaytothewarsagain，andpresentlyfellinbattle，fightingfortheCross。Traditionsaysthatduringseveralcenturiesthespiritoftheunfortunategirlsangnightlyfromthecaveatmidnight，butthemusiccarriednocursewithit；andalthoughmanylistenedforthemysterioussounds，fewwerefavored，sinceonlythosecouldhearthemwhohadneverfailedinatrust。 Itisbelievedthatthesingingstillcontinues，butitisknownthatnobodyhashearditduringthepresentcentury。 CHAPTERXVI AnAncientLegendoftheRhine[TheLorelei] Thelastlegendremindsoneofthe\"Lorelei\"——alegendoftheRhine。Thereisasongcalled\"TheLorelei。\" Germanyisrichinfolk-songs，andthewordsandairsofseveralofthemarepeculiarlybeautiful——but\"TheLorelei\" isthepeople\'sfavorite。Icouldnotendureitatfirst，butbyandbyitbegantotakeholdofme，andnowthereisnotunewhichIlikesowell。 ItisnotpossiblethatitismuchknowninAmerica，elseI shouldhavehearditthere。ThefactthatIneverhearditthere，isevidencethatthereareothersinmycountrywhohavefaredlikewise；therefore，forthesakeofthese，Imeantoprintthewordsandmusicinthischapter。 AndIwillrefreshthereader\'smemorybyprintingthelegendoftheLorelei，too。IhaveitbymeintheLEGENDSOF THERHINE，doneintoEnglishbythewildlygiftedGarnham，BachelorofArts。Iprintthelegendpartlytorefreshmyownmemory，too，forIhaveneverreaditbefore。 THELEGEND Lore(twosyllables)wasawaternymphwhousedtositonahighrockcalledtheLeyorLei(pronouncedlikeourwordLIE)intheRhine，andlureboatmentodestructioninafuriousrapidwhichmarredthechannelatthatspot。 Shesobewitchedthemwithherplaintivesongsandherwonderfulbeautythattheyforgoteverythingelsetogazeupather，andsotheypresentlydriftedamongthebrokenreefsandwerelost。 Inthoseold，oldtimes，theCountBrunolivedinagreatcastleneartherewithhisson，theCountHermann，ayouthoftwenty。HermannhadheardagreatdealaboutthebeautifulLore，andhadfinallyfallenverydeeplyinlovewithherwithouthavingseenher。SoheusedtowandertotheneighborhoodoftheLei，evenings，withhisZitherand\"ExpresshisLonginginlowSinging，\"asGarnhamsays。 Ononeoftheseoccasions，\"suddenlytherehoveredaroundthetopoftherockabrightnessofunequaledclearnessandcolor，which，inincreasinglysmallercirclesthickened，wastheenchantingfigureofthebeautifulLore。 \"AnunintentionalcryofJoyescapedtheYouth，helethisZitherfall，andwithextendedarmshecalledoutthenameoftheenigmaticalBeing，whoseemedtostooplovinglytohimandbeckontohiminafriendlymanner； indeed，ifhiseardidnotdeceivehim，shecalledhisnamewithunutterablesweetWhispers，propertolove。 BesidehimselfwithdelighttheyouthlosthisSensesandsanksenselesstotheearth。\" Afterthathewasachangedperson。Hewentdreamingabout，thinkingonlyofhisfairyandcaringfornaughtelseintheworld。\"Theoldcountsawwithafflictionthischangementinhisson，\"whosecausehecouldnotdivine，andtriedtodiverthismindintocheerfulchannels，buttonopurpose。Thentheoldcountusedauthority。 Hecommandedtheyouthtobetakehimselftothecamp。 Obediencewaspromised。Garnhamsays: \"Itwasontheeveningbeforehisdeparture，ashewishedstilloncetovisittheLeiandoffertotheNymphoftheRhinehisSighs，thetonesofhisZither，andhisSongs。Hewent，inhisboat，thistimeaccompaniedbyafaithfulsquire，downthestream。Themoonshedhersilverylightoverthewholecountry；thesteepbankmountainsappearedinthemostfantasticalshapes，andthehighoaksoneithersidebowedtheirBranchesonHermann\'spassing。AssoonasheapproachedtheLei，andwasawareofthesurf-waves，hisattendantwasseizedwithaninexpressibleAnxietyandhebeggedpermissiontoland；buttheKnightsweptthestringsofhisGuitarandsang: \"OnceIsawtheeindarknight，InsupernaturalBeautybright； OfLight-rays，wastheFigurewove，Toshareitslight，locked-hairstrove。 \"ThyGarmentcolorwave-doveBythyhandthesignoflove，Thyeyessweetenchantment，Rayingtome，oh!enchantment。 \"O，wertthoubutmysweetheart，Howwillinglythylovetopart!WithdelightIshouldbeboundTothyrockyhouseindeepground。\" ThatHermannshouldhavegonetothatplaceatall，wasnotwise；thatheshouldhavegonewithsuchasongasthatinhismouthwasamostseriousmistake。TheLoreleididnot\"callhisnameinunutterablesweetWhispers\" thistime。No，thatsongnaturallyworkedaninstantandthorough\"changement\"inher；andnotonlythat，butitstirredthebowelsofthewholeafflictedregionaroundaboutthere——for—— \"Scarcelyhadthesetonessounded，everywheretherebegantumultandsound，asifvoicesaboveandbelowthewater。OntheLeiroseflames，theFairystoodabove，atthattime，andbeckonedwithherrighthandclearlyandurgentlytotheinfatuatedKnight，whilewithastaffinherlefthandshecalledthewavestoherservice。 Theybegantomountheavenward；theboatwasupset，mockingeveryexertion；thewavesrosetothegunwale，andsplittingonthehardstones，theBoatbrokeintoPieces。 Theyouthsankintothedepths，butthesquirewasthrownonshorebyapowerfulwave。\" ThebitterestthingshavebeensaidabouttheLoreleiduringmanycenturies，butsurelyherconductuponthisoccasionentitleshertoourrespect。Onefeelsdrawntenderlytowardherandismovedtoforgethermanycrimesandrememberonlythegooddeedthatcrownedandclosedhercareer。 \"TheFairywasnevermoreseen；butherenchantingtoneshaveoftenbeenheard。Inthebeautiful，refreshing，stillnightsofspring，whenthemoonpourshersilverlightovertheCountry，thelisteningshipperhearsfromtherushingofthewaves，theechoingClangofawonderfullycharmingvoice，whichsingsasongfromthecrystalcastle，andwithsorrowandfearhethinksontheyoungCountHermann，seducedbytheNymph。\" Hereisthemusic，andtheGermanwordsbyHeinrichHeine。 ThissonghasbeenafavoriteinGermanyforfortyyears，andwillremainafavoritealways，maybe。[Figure5] Ihaveaprejudiceagainstpeoplewhoprintthingsinaforeignlanguageandaddnotranslation。 WhenIamthereader，andtheauthorconsidersmeabletodothetranslatingmyself，hepaysmequiteanicecompliment——butifhewoulddothetranslatingformeIwouldtrytogetalongwithoutthecompliment。 IfIwereathome，nodoubtIcouldgetatranslationofthispoem，butIamabroadandcan\'t；thereforeIwillmakeatranslationmyself。Itmaynotbeagoodone，forpoetryisoutofmyline，butitwillservemypurpose——whichis，togivetheunGermanyounggirlajingleofwordstohangthetuneonuntilshecangetholdofagoodversion，madebysomeonewhoisapoetandknowshowtoconveyapoeticalthoughtfromonelanguagetoanother。 THELORELEI Icannotdivinewhatitmeaneth，Thishauntingnamelesspain:AtaleofthebygoneagesKeepsbroodingthroughmybrain: Thefaintaircoolsintheglooming，AndpeacefulflowstheRhine，ThethirstysummitsaredrinkingThesunset\'sfloodingwine； TheloveliestmaidenissittingHigh-thronedinyonblueair，Hergoldenjewelsareshining，Shecombshergoldenhair； Shecombswithacombthatisgolden，AndsingsaweirdrefrainThatsteepsinadeadlyenchantmentThelist\'ner\'sravishedbrain: Thedoomedinhisdriftingshallop，Istrancedwiththesadsweettone，Heseesnottheyawningbreakers，Heseesbutthemaidalone: Thepitilessbillowsengulfhim!——Soperishsailorandbark； Andthis，withherbalefulsinging，IstheLorelei\'sgruesomework。 IhaveatranslationbyGarnham，BachelorofArts，intheLEGENDSOFTHERHINE，butitwouldnotanswerthepurposeImentionedabove，becausethemeasureistoonoblyirregular；itdon\'tfitthetunesnuglyenough； inplacesithangsoverattheendstoofar，andinotherplacesonerunsoutofwordsbeforehegetstotheendofabar。Still，Garnham\'stranslationhashighmerits，andIamnotdreamingofleavingitoutofmybook。 IbelievethispoetiswhollyunknowninAmericaandEngland； ItakepeculiarpleasureinbringinghimforwardbecauseI considerthatIdiscoveredhim: THELORELEI TranslatedbyL。W。Garnham，B。A。 Idonotknowwhatitsignifies。ThatIamsosorrowful? AfableofoldTimessoterrifies，Leavesmyheartsothoughtful。 Theairiscoolanditdarkens，AndcalmlyflowstheRhine； ThesummitofthemountainhearkensIneveningsunshineline。 ThemostbeautifulMaidenentrancesAbovewonderfullythere，Herbeautifulgoldenattireglances，Shecombshergoldenhair。 Withgoldencombsolustrous，Andtherebyasongsings，Ithasatonesowondrous，Thatpowerfulmelodyrings。 TheshipperinthelittleshipIteffectswithwoesadmight； Hedoesnotseetherockyslip，Heonlyregardsdreadedheight。 IbelievetheturbulentwavesSwallowthelastshipperandboat；ShewithhersingingcravesAlltovisithermagicmoat。 Notranslationcouldbecloser。Hehasgotinallthefacts；andintheirregularorder，too。Thereisnotastatisticwanting。Itisassuccinctasaninvoice。 Thatiswhatatranslationoughttobe；itshouldexactlyreflectthethoughtoftheoriginal。Youcan\'tSING\"Abovewonderfullythere，\"becauseitsimplywon\'tgotothetune，withoutdamagingthesinger；butitisamostclinginglyexacttranslationofDORTOBENWUNDERBAR——fitsitlikeablister。 Mr。Garnham\'sreproductionhasothermerits——ahundredofthem——butitisnotnecessarytopointthemout。 Theywillbedetected。 Noonewithaspecialtycanhopetohaveamonopolyofit。 EvenGarnhamhasarival。Mr。XhadasmallpamphletwithhimwhichhehadboughtwhileonavisittoMunich。 ItwasentitledACATALOGUEOFPICTURESINTHEOLDPINACOTEK，andwaswritteninapeculiarkindofEnglish。Hereareafewextracts: \"Itisnotpermittedtomakeuseoftheworkinquestiontoapublicationofthesamecontentsaswellastothepiratededitionofit。\" \"Aneveninglandscape。Intheforegroundnearapondandagroupofwhitebeechesisleadingafootpathanimatedbytravelers。\" \"Alearnedmaninacynicalandtorndressholdinganopenbookinhishand。\" \"St。BartholomewandtheExecutionerwiththeknifetofulfilthemartyr。\" \"Portraitofayoungman。AlongwhilethispicturewasthoughttobeBindiAltoviti\'sportrait；nowsomebodywillagainhaveittobetheself-portraitofRaphael。\" \"Susanbathing，surprisedbythetwooldman。 Inthebackgroundthelapidationofthecondemned。\" (\"Lapidation\"isgood；itismuchmoreelegantthan\"stoning。\") \"St。Rochussittinginalandscapewithanangelwholooksathisplague-sore，whilstthedogthebreadinhismouthattentshim。\" \"Spring。TheGoddessFlora，sitting。Behindherafertilevalleyperfusedbyariver。\" \"AbeautifulbouquetanimatedbyMay-bugs，etc。\" \"Awarriorinarmorwithagypseouspipeinhishandleansagainstatableandblowsthesmokefarawayofhimself。\" \"ADutchlandscapealonganavigableriverwhichperfusesittilltothebackground。\" \"Somepeasantssinginginacottage。Awomanletsdrinkachildoutofacup。\" \"St。John\'sheadasaboy——paintedinfrescoonabrick。\" (Meaningatile。)