until late at night and Hyacinth did not stir nor did he tire of listening.  As far as one could learn afterward the man had related much about foreign lands, unknown regions, astonishingly wondrous things, staying there three days and creeping down into deep pits with Hyacinth.  Roseblossom cursed the old sorcerer enough, for Hyacinth was all eagerness for his tales and cared for nothing, scarcely even eating a little food.  Finally the man took his departure, not, however, without leaving Hyacinth a booklet that not a soul could read.  The youth had even given him fruit, bread, and wine to take along and had accompanied him a long way.  Then he came back melancholy and began an entirely new mode of life.  Roseblossom grieved for him very pitifully, for from that time on he paid little attention to her and always kept to himself.

Now it came about that he returned home one day and was like one new-born.  He fell on his parents’ neck and wept.  “I must depart for foreign lands,” he said; “the strange old woman in the forest told me that I must get well again; she threw the book into the fire and urged me to come to you and ask for your blessing.  Perhaps I shall be back soon, perhaps never more.  Say good-bye to Roseblossom for me.  I should have liked to speak to her, I do not know what is the matter, something drives me away; whenever I want to think of old times, mightier thoughts rush in immediately; my peace is gone, my courage and love with it, I must go in quest of them.  I should like to tell you whither, but I do not know myself; thither where dwells the mother of all things, the veiled virgin.  For her my heart burns.  Farewell!”

He tore himself away and departed.  His parents lamented and shed tears.  Roseblossom kept in her chamber and wept bitterly.  Hyacinth now hastened as fast as he could through valleys and wildernesses, across mountains and streams, toward the mysterious country.  Everywhere he asked men and animals, rocks and trees, for the sacred goddess (Isis).  Some laughed, some were silent, nowhere did he receive an answer.  At first he passed through wild, uninhabited regions, mist and clouds obstructed his path, it was always storming; later he found unbounded deserts of glowing hot sand, and as he wandered his mood changed, time seemed to grow longer, and his inner unrest was calmed.  He became more tranquil and the violent excitement within him was gradually transformed to a gentle but strong impulse, which took possession of his whole nature.  It seemed as though many years lay behind him.  Now, too, the region again became richer and more varied, the air warm and blue, the path more level; green bushes attracted him with their pleasant shade but he did not understand their language, nor did they seem to speak, and yet they filled his heart with verdant colors, with quiet and freshness.  Mightier and mightier grew within him that sweet longing, broader and softer the leaves, noisier and happier the birds and animals, balmier the fruits, darker the heavens, warmer the air and more fiery his love; faster and faster passed the Time, as though it knew that it was approaching the goal.