I must pass in my relation hastily over a time in which how gladly would I linger, could I but conjure up the living spirit of it with the recollection.  But the color which vivified it, and alone can vivify it again, is extinguished in me; and when I seek in my bosom what then so mightily animated it, the grief and the joy, the innocent illusion—­then do I vainly smite a rock in which no living spring now dwells, and the god is departed from me.  How changed does this past time now appear to me!  I would act in the watering place an heroic character, ill studied, and myself a novice on the boards, and my gaze was lured from my part by a pair of blue eyes.  The parents, deluded by the play, offer everything only to make the business quickly secure; and the poor farce closes in mockery.  And that is all, all!  That presents itself now to me so absurd and commonplace, and yet it is terrible, that that can thus appear to me which then so richly, so luxuriantly, swelled my bosom.  Mina! as I wept at losing thee, so weep I still to have lost thee also in myself.  Am I then become so old?  Oh, melancholy reason!  Oh, but for one pulsation of that time! one moment of that illusion!  But no! alone on the high waste sea of thy bitter flood! and long out of the last cup of champagne the elfin has vanished!

I had sent forward Bendel with some purses of gold to procure for me in the little town a dwelling adapted to my needs.  He had there scattered about much money, and expressed himself somewhat indefinitely respecting the distinguished stranger whom he served, for I would not be named, and that filled the good people with extraordinary fancies.  As soon as my house was ready Bendel returned to conduct me thither.  We set out.

About three miles from the place, on a sunny plain, our progress was obstructed by a gay festal throng.  The carriage stopped.  Music, sound of bells, discharge of cannon, were heard; a loud vivat! rent the air; before the door of the carriage appeared, clad in white, a troop of damsels of extraordinary beauty, but who were eclipsed by one in particular, as the stars of night by the sun.  She stepped forth from the midst of her sisters; the tall and delicate figure kneeled blushing before me, and presented to me on a silken cushion a garland woven of laurel, olive branches, and roses, while she uttered some words about majesty, veneration and love, which I did not understand, but whose bewitching silver tone intoxicated my ear and heart.  It seemed as if the heavenly apparition had some time previously passed before me.  The chorus struck in, and sung the praises of a good king and the happiness of his people.