Sheshruggedhershoulderscarelessly。\"WereIafraidofyou，I
wouldnotallowyoutowalkbehindme。Butgrantmeonerequest，willyou？\"
\"Speak，Eliza，andwhateveritmaybe，Iwillcomplywithit。\"
\"Well，then，sir，besokindasnottospeakwithme。Speakingexhaustsusandmakesusabsent—minded。Wehavealongmarchbeforeus，andmustsaveourbreath，anddevoteourwholeattentiontotheroute;foritwillleadusoverthenarrowpathsofthechamois—
hunters，andasinglefalsestepmayhurlusintoanabyss。
Therefore，sir，praydonotaddressmeuntilIspeaktoyou。\"
\"Iwillobey，\"saidUlrich，humbly。\"Leadtheway;Iwillfollow。\"
Shenoddedtohim，andadvancedthroughthenarrowvalley。Theroadsoonbecamesteeper，andledthempastprecipices，fromonerocktoanother，allofwhichwerespannedbynarrowplanks，underwhichunfathomablechasmsyawned。Thenitledthroughthicketsofshrubberyandpine—forests，ordownprecipitousslopes，andoversmallfragmentsofrock，whichgavewayateverystep，androlledintothedepth。Elizasuddenlystoodstillandbrokethesilenceforthefirsttime。
\"Youmustnotgobehindmehere，sir，\"shesaid，\"fortheloosestoneswouldnotpermityoutoadvance。Cometome，andgivemeyourhand。Wemustwalksidebyside。\"
Hewasimmediatelybyherside，andtookherhand。\"MayIspeaknow，Eliza？\"heasked。
\"No，\"shesaid，imperatively，\"wehavenotimeforchatting。
Forward！\"
Andtheycontinuedascendingthemountain。Thevalley，andeventhemountain—forest，layalreadydeepunderthem。Onlyscatteredandstuntedtreesstoodhereandthere，andfinallyeventhesedisappearedentirely。Themooncommencedpalingintheheavens，andyetitdidnotbecomedarker，forthegraytwilightwaslitupattimeswithapurplelustre;thesmall，scuddingcloudsbegantoturnred;thepale，foggymountain—peakscolored，andastrangewhisperingpassedthroughtheair。
Nowtheyhadreachedthesummit，andthepeakonwhichtheywerestandingaffordedthemastrikinglybeautifulview。
\"Thisistheplacewherewemayrest，\"saidEliza，drawingadeepbreath。
\"AndmayIspeaknow，Eliza？\"askedUlrich。
\"No，\"shesaid;\"doyounotseethatGodisspeakingnow？\"
Andshepointedtothepartofthehorizonwhich，radiantinitscrimsonlustre，layattheendofthelovelyvalleyopeningbeforethem。Gazingatit，Elizasanknoiselesslydownonthefragmentofarock，andclaspingherhandsonherknees，shecontemplatedthegloriousspectaclebywhichGodspeakstomaneverymorning。
Thevalleywasstillwrappedinthegloomoftwilight，butbehindtheflatandgently—roundedmountainsyonderrosetheflamingglowofradiantcrimson，andsentafewpurplecloudsasheraldsoftheapproachingmajestyintotheazuresky。ArosyhuecoveredtheglaciersoftheVenedigerandGross—Glockner，whichlookeddowninproudmajestyonthemountainsborderingthevalley，andwhichhadhithertowrappedtheirsummitsinveilsofglisteningsilver。Onbeholdingthedivinemajestyofthesun，theydroppedtheirveils，theirsummitscrimsonedandloomeduptotheskyindazzlingsplendor。Theraysgildingthemshedalustreonthelowerwoodedmountains，greetedthespiresofthechurchesrisingamidstthevillages，dissipatedthemistwhichhadhithertofilledthevalley，andconvertedthewatersofthefoamingIsel，meanderingthroughthevalley，intoliquidgold。Thegloomentirelydisappeared，andthewholelandscapewasradiantinitsmorningbeauty。Godhadwilledthatthereshouldbelight，andtheearthlaysmilingandsurpassinglybeautifulunderthefirstglowingraysofthesun。
Elizagazedwitharaptsmileuponthesublimescene;thecloudshaddisappearedfromherbrowalso，andthegloomhadvanishedfromhereyes。
\"Oh，howbeautifulistheworld！howbeautifulismydearTyrol！\"
sheexclaimed，fervently。\"Igreetyou，belovedmountainsguardingourfrontiers！Igreetyou，Gross—GlocknerandVenediger！Yes，gazeupontheTyrol，fornowyoumayrejoiceoverit！Theenemyisnolongerinthecountry，andIambringingyouthelastBavarianwhoisstillhere，thatyoumaysendhimacrosstheborder。Sir，\"sheadded，turningherface，illuminatedbythesun，slowlytotheyoungman，whohadnotcontemplatedthesun，butonlyherface，\"wemustparthere。Ionlyintendedtoconductyouhither，totheKalserThoerl。YouwillnowdescendtothevillageofKals，whichyouseeinthevalleyyonder。Look，backthere，itsredroofsarerisingoutofthegreenshrubbery。Youwillgototheinnthere，andgivethislettertoLebrechtPanzl，theinnkeeper。Heismymother\'sbrother，andshewriteshiminthislettertogiveyouareliableguide，whoistoconductyouoverthePruschlerThoerlandtheKatzensteintoHeiligenblut。YouwillreachHeiligenblutinsevenhours。ItsinhabitantsspeakBavarianGerman;yourBavariandialectwillnotbesuspicioustothem，andyouwilleasilyfindthereaguidetoconductyouwhereveryouwishtogo。Youwillfindsomefoodforto—
dayinthehaversackhere，andalsosomemoney，andpowderandlead。
Takeit，sir;hereistherifle，andherethehaversack。Unlessyouhavethemwithyou，noonewilltakeyouforagenuineTyrolese。
There。Putyourclothesintothesack，youcancarrythembetterthatway;hangtherifleroundyourshoulder，andthenadieu？\"
\"Andyouthink，Eliza，Icanacceptallthiskindnessandmagnanimity？\"criedUlrich，vehemently;\"youthinkIcanacceptatyourhandsfood，money——nay，more，mylife，myhonor，andleaveyouwithacold\'thankyou，\'afterdenyingandinsultingyouinthedespairofmywoundedmilitaryhonor？No，Eliza，youhavemistakenmycharacter。Iwillnotgo，Iwillnotleaveyou。Ifollowedyouheretoseehowfaryourmagnanimityandnobleself—abnegationwouldgo;butnowIshallreturnwithyoutoWindisch—Matrey。Yourfatherinvitedtotheweddingthemenwhowishedtokillmeyesterday;theywillawaitusatthechurchatninethismorning，andtheyshallnotwaitinvain。Come，Eliza，letusreturntoWindisch—Matrey;forallyourkindnessandmagnanimityIshallgiveyoutheonlythingIhavetogive，myname。Youwill，youshallbecomemywife！Come，yourfatherandyourfriendsawaitusatthechurch;Iwillconductyouthitherandtothealtar。\"
\"Iwillnotdoit，\"sheexclaimedproudly;\"for，assureasthereisaGodinheaven，Ishouldsay\'no\'beforethealtar，andrejectyourhand。\"
\"Well，then，dothat，\"hesaid，gently;\"Ihavedeservedthishumiliation;Ioweyouanopportunitytowreakyourvengeanceonme。\"
\"Idonotwanttoavengemyself。IhavesworntomyselfandtomydearElzatosaveyou，andIwill。Go，sir;timeisfleeting，andyouhaveamarchofsevenhoursbeforeyou。\"
\"No，Iwillnotgo，\"criedUlrich，vehemently;\"Icannotgo，forI
loveyou，Eliza，Oh，Ihavelovedyoualongwhile，butmyhaughtyheartrevoltedatthislove，andwouldnotyieldtoit;andyetI
wasdeeply，passionatelyenamouredofyou。Butmyheartdidnotknowitself，itbelievedatlastthatitmighthateyou，whenallatonceyourgenerosity，lenity，andmagnanimitydissipatedallmistsconcealingmyheartfrommyeyes，andIperceivedhowpassionatelyI
lovedyou。Oh，Eliza，belovedgirl，donotturnfromme！Givemeyourhand;letusgohome;acceptmyhand，becomemywife！Lovebeseechesofyounowwhatpriderefusedtoyoubeforeacceptmyhand，myname！Letusdescendintothevalley，gotothechurch，andbemarried。\"
Sheshookherheadslowly。\"Ihavealreadytoldyou，\"shesaid，\"thatIshouldsay\'no\'beforethealtar。Wedonotbelongtogether。
Youareanobleman，andI，asyouhaveoftencalledmeinyouranger，amapeasantgirl;youareaBavarian，andI，thankGod，amagainanAustrian。Wedonotbelongtogether，andIbelieveitwouldnotbehooveyoutoappearwithmenowbeforethealtarandmarryme。
Foreveryonewouldthinkyoutookmeonlytosaveyourlife，andyourhonorwouldbelost，notonlyinBavaria，butalsohereamongus。Thebravemenwoulddespiseyou，andthetempt——Ifeltitwhenyoulookedatmesodisdainfullyyesterday——isworsethandeath。Go，therefore，mydearsir;yourhonorrequiresit。\"
\"Well，then，youareright:Iwillgo。IseethatImustnotapplyforyourhandatthisjuncture。ButIshallreturnsosoonaspeaceisrestoredtothecountry，andwhenallthesetroublesareover。
Promiseme，Eliza，thatyouwillwaitformeandnotforgetme。ForIsweartoyou，Ishallreturnandmarryyou，inspiteofthewholeworld。\"
\"Youwillnot，\"shesaid，shakingherbead，\"forIshallnottakeyou。Idonotloveyou。\"
\"Eliza，\"hecried，seizingherhandimpetuously，andgazingdeepintohereyes，\"youarejustasmuchmistakenasIwasmyself。I
lovedyoualongtimewithoutknowingit，andthus，sweetone，youlovemetoo！\"
\"No，\"sheexclaimed，vehemently，andturningverypale，\"no，Idonotloveyou！\"
\"Yes，youdo，\"hesaid，tenderly。\"Ifeltit，andknewitbythetoneinwhich，steppingbeforeme，andshieldingmewithyourbody，youexclaimedyesterday，\'Ifyoushoothim，youshallkillmetoo。\'
Pityandcompassiondonotspeakthus;onlylovehassuchtonesofanguish，despair，andheroism。Ifeltitatthatmoment，andtheblissfuldelightwhichfilledmyheartonrecognizingit，mademeatlengthconsciousofmyownlove。IconfessedtomyselfthatInevershouldbeabletoloveanyotherwomanonearth，andneverwouldmarryanyotherwomanthanyou。Ob，Eliza，letusnolongerresistthehappinessthatisinstoreforus。Letthewholepastbeburiedbehindus。Letthefuturebeours，andwithitloveandhappiness！\"
Sheshookherheadslowly。\"Youhavereadbadlyinmyheart，\"shesaid;\"youdonotunderstandtheletterswritteninit，andwhatyouspellfromitisfalse。Idonotloveyou，andwouldneverconsenttobecomeyourwife。Letusdropthesubject。Wetwocanneverbehusbandandwife，butwemayremembereachotherasgoodfriends。
Andso，sir，Iwillalwaysrememberyou，andshallbegladtohearthatyouarewellandhappy。Butletussaynomoreaboutit，andgo。Youhaveamarchofsevenhoursbeforeyou;Imustbeathomeagainbyeighto\'clock，inordernottokeepthemenwaiting。Letuspart，therefore。\"
\"Well，then，\"sighedUlrich，\"itisyourwill，andwemustpart，butnotforever。Iswear，byGodAlmightyandmylove，Ishallreturnwhenthewarisover，andwhenthequarrelsofthenationsaresettled。Ishallreturntoaskyouifyouwillbemine，mybelovedwife，andifyouwillatlastcrownmylovewithhappiness。Hush，donotcontradictme，anddonottellmeagainthatyoudonotloveme。
Ihopeinthefuture，andweshallseewhetheritwillbringmehappinessordoommetodespair。Farewell，then，Eliza;andifyouwillyetgivetothepoorwanderer，towhomyouhavegivenlife，food，money，andclothes，apricelesstreasure，atalismanthatwillshieldhimfromalltemptationsoftheworld，thengivemeakiss！\"
\"No，sir;anhonestTyrolesegirlneverkissesanymanbuttheonewhosewifesheistobe。Yousee，therefore，thatIcannotgiveyouakiss。Go，sir。ButhaveyounocommissionstogivemeforyouruncleandmydearElza？\"
\"Greetthemboth;tellthemthatIloveyou，Eliza，andthatyourejectedmyproposals。\"
\"Thatdoesnotconcernanybody，andonlywetwoandthegoodGodshallknowit，butnooneelse。But，sir，givemeasouvenirforElza;itwillgladdenherheart。\"
\"Ihavenothingtogiveher，\"hesaid，shrugginghisshoulders。
ShepointedtothecrimsonAlpinerosesbloomingattheirfeetamidstthegrassandmoss。
\"Gathersomeoftheseflowers，andgivethemtome，\"shesaid;\"I
willtakethemtoElza，andtellherthatyougatheredtheflowersforher。\"
Hekneltdown，gatheredahandfulofAlpineroses，andtiedthemtogetherwithafewbladesofgrass。\"Iwould，\"hesaid，stillkneelinginthegrass，\"theyweremyrtlesthatIwasgatheringforyou，Eliza，foryou，myaffiancedbride，andthatyouwouldacceptthematmyhandsasthesacredgiftoflove。There，takethebouquetforElza，andgiveittoherwithmygreetings。\"
Shestretchedoutherhandtotakeit;butUlrich，insteadofgivingittoher，pressedthebouquettohislips，andimprintedanardentkissontheflowers;thenonlydidhehandittoEliza。——\"Now，Eliza，\"hesaid，\"takeit。Yourefusedmeakiss，butyouwillcarrymyglowingkisshomewithyou，andwithitalsomyheart。Ishallcomebackonedaytodemandofyouyourheartandmykiss。Farewell！
Itisyourwill，andsoImustgo。Idonotsay，forgetmenot;butIshallreturn，andaskyouthen:`Haveyouforgottenme？Willyoubecomemywife？\'Untilthen，farewell！\"
Hegazedatherwithalonglookofloveandtenderness;sheavoidedmeetinghislook，andwhenhesawthis，asmile，radiantassunshineandbliss，illuminatedhisfeatures。
\"Go，sir，\"shesaid，inalowvoice，avertingherface。
\"Iamgoing，Eliza，\"heexclaimed。\"Farewell！\"
Heseizedherhandimpetuously，imprintedonitaburningkissbeforeshewasabletopreventhim，droppedit，andturnedtodescendtheslopewithaslowstep。
Elizastoodmotionless，andasiffascinated;shegazedafterhim，andfollowedwithanabsorbedlookhistall，nobleform，descendingthemountain，surroundedbyahaloofsunshine。
AllatonceUlrichstoodstillandturnedtoher。\"Eliza，\"heshouted，\"didyoucallme？ShallIreturntoyou？\"
Sheshookherheadandmadeaviolentgestureindicatingthatheshouldnotreturn，butsaidnothing;thewordschokedinherbreast。
Hewavedhishandtoher，turnedagain，andcontinueddescendingtheslope。
Elizalookedafterhim;herfaceturnedpalerandpaler，andherlipsquiveredmorepainfully。Oncetheyopenedasiftocallhimbackwithacryofanguishandlove;butEliza，pressingherhandviolentlyuponhermouth，forcedthecrybackintoherheart，andgazeddownonUlrich\'srecedingform。
Alreadyhehaddescendedhalftheslope;nowhereachedtheedgeoftheforest，andalas！disappearedinthethicket。
Eliza，utteringaloudcry，kneltdown，andtears，herlong—
restrained，scaldingtears，streamedlikeriversdownhercheeks。
Sheliftedherarms，herclaspedbands，toheaven，andmurmuredwithquiveringlips:\"Protecthim，myGod，forThouknowesthowintenselyIlovehim！\"
Sheremainedalongtimeonherknees，weeping，praying，strugglingwithhergriefandherlove。Butthenallatonceshesprangtoherfeet，brushedthetearsfromhereyes，anddrewadeepbreath。
\"Imustandwillnolongerweep，\"shesaidtoherselfinaloud，imperativevoice。\"OtherwisetheywouldseethatIhadbeenweeping，andnoonemustknowthat。Imustdescendinordertobeathomeintime，andthenIwilltellfatherandtheothermenthatUlrichneverwasmybetrothed，andthatIsaidsoonlytosavehislife。
TheywillforgivemeforhelpinghimtoescapewhenItellthemthatIneverlovedhimnorwouldhavetakenhim，becauseheisaBavarian，butthatIsavedhimbecauseheisanearrelativeofmydearElza。Andaftertellingandexplainingallthistothemen，I
shallgotoElza，givehertheflowers，andtellherthatUlrichsentthemtoher，andthathislastwordwasalove—greetingforher。God，forgivemethisfalsehood！ButElzaloveshim，anditwillgladdenherheart。Shewillpreservethisbouquettoherwedding—
day，andshewillnotnoticethatIkeptoneflowerfromitformyself。Itistheflowerwhichhekissed;itshallbemine。I
suppose，goodGod，thatImaytakeit，andthatitisnotheftformetodoso？\"
Shelookeduptoheavenwithabeseechingglance;thenshesoftlydrewoneoftheflowersfromthebouquet，pressedittoherlips，andconcealeditinherbosom。
\"IwillpreservethisflowerwhileIlive，\"sheexclaimed。\"GodstrengthenedmyheartsothatIwasabletorejecthim;butIshalllovehimforever，andthisflowerismywedding—bouquet。Ishallneverwearanother！\"
SheextendedherarmsinthedirectionwhereUlrichhaddisappeared。
\"Farewell！\"shecried。\"Igreetyouathousandtimes，andmyheartgoeswithyou！\"
ThensheturnedandhastilydescendedthepathwhichshehadascendedwithUlrichvonHohenberg。
CHAPTERXXIII
THETRIUMPHOFDEATH
ItwasawondrouslybeautifulmorninginMay;thesunshoneclearandbright;thebirdssanginalltheshrubsandtrees，andthegayspringflowersexhaledtheirfragrantodorsinallthegardens。
Naturehaddonneditsholidayattire，andyethumanitywasinmourning;thesunshoneclearandbright，andyettheeyesofmenweresombreandlustreless，andinsteadofrejoicingoverthefreshverdureandtheblossomsofspring，theygrieved，andtheirheartswerefrozenwithcareandpain。
FortheEmperorNapoleonhadraisedhisproudhandagainagainstGermany;hehaddefeatedtheAustriansatRatisbonandLandshut，andmadehistriumphantentranceintoViennaonthe12thofMay，1809。
Forthesecondtimetheimperialfamily，fleeingfromthevictoriousNapoleon，hadbeencompelledtoleavethecapital;forthesecondtimetheforeignemperoroccupiedthepalaceofSchoenbrunn，andViennahadtobowagaintothewilloftheall—powerfulconqueror。
TheEmperorFrancishadescapedwithhiswifeandchildrentoHungary，andVienna，whoseinhabitantshadatfirstswornenthusiasticallytodefendtheircitytothelastman，andlayitinashesratherthansurrenderittotheFrench，hadneverthelessopeneditsgatesalreadyonthe12thofMaytotheEmperorNapoleonandhisarmy。Ithadtobowtosternnecessity，forduringthepreviousnighttheArchdukeMaximilian，withtheweakforceswithwhichhehadbeenorderedtodefendVienna，hadevacuatedthecity，hadburnedthegreatbridgeofThabortopreventNapoleonfrompursuinghim，andhadsucceededinescaping，leavingittotheViennesetomaketermswiththeconquerorandinvokehisclemencyandgenerosity。Theyhadthusbeenobligedtoconcealtheirrageandexasperationintheirhearts，andsurrendertothetendermerciesoftheFrenchemperor;theyhadopenedtheirgatestotheenemy，butnottheirhearts。Theirheartswerefilledwithboundlessrageandshame，whichbroughtwildimprecationstothelipsofthemen，andtearstotheeyesofthewomen。
JosephHaydn，thesilver—hairedoctogenarian，hadstilltheheartofafierymaninhisbosom，andhistremblinglipscursedtheconqueror，therelentlessfoeofAustria，andcalleddownthewrathofHeavenontheFrenchemperor，whoalwaysspokeofpeaceandconciliation，andalwaysstirredupquarrelsandenmities。ThelatestreversesofAustriahadproducedamostpainfulimpressionupontheagedmaestro，andtheravishingjoywhichhadilluminatedJosephHaydn\'sfaceattheperformanceof\"TheCreation，\"hadlongsincedisappearedfromhiscarewornandmournfulcountenance。Hiseyesweregloomyanddim，andoftenveiledwithtears;andwhenheplayedhisimperialhymn，ashedideverymorning，hecouldnotsingtoit，fortearschokedhisvoice，andthewords，sofullofconfidenceandtriumphanthope，seemedtohimabittermockery。
HelednowaveryquietandlonelylifeathissmallhouseintheMariahilfsuburb，andhedidnotevenleaveit，ashehadformerlyalwaysdone，onSundays，inordertogotomass。ThesightoftheFrenchuniformswoundedhisheart，andhegrievedonseeinghisbelovedVienneseoppressedandhumiliated。
\"Godiseverywhere，\"saidHaydntohisfaithfulservantConrad，\"andHewillhearmyprayereventhoughIshouldutteritinmyquietcloset，andnotatchurch。Butto—day，myfriend，IwillpraytoGodintheopenair。Seehowgloriouslythesunshines，andhowbluetheskyis！To—dayisSunday。Letus，therefore，putonourSundayclothes。Conrad，givemethefineringwhichthegreatKingofPrussiapresentedtome，andthencometohearmassinmylittlegarden。\"
ConradfetchedquicklytheSundayclothesofhismaster;hehelpedhimtoputonthesilkenandsilver—embroideredcoat，andputthelargediamond—ring，whichFredericktheGreathadonedaysenttothegreatmasterofharmony，onhisfinger。Thenhehandedhimhishatandhisstrongcane，whichwasadornedwithagoldencross—
piece，thatthetotteringoctogenarianmightleanonit。JosephHaydnnowlefttheroomslowly，hisrighthandleaningonhiscane，hisleftarmrestingontheshoulderofhisservant。Behindhimwalkedwithagravesteptheoldcat，anheirloomfromHaydn\'slamentedwife，andhencehighlyprizedandhonoredbytheagedmaestro。Purringsoftly，nowraisingitsbeautifullongtail，nowrollingitup，thecatfollowedcloseinthefootstepsofitsmaster，throughthehallandacrosstheyardtothesmallgarden。
\"Howbeautifulitishere！\"saidHaydn，standingstillinthedoorofthegarden，andslowlylookingaroundattheflowersandshrubbery，thehummingbeesandflittingbutter—flies。\"Oh，howgloriouslybeautifulisGod\'screation，andhowradiant——\"
\"Howradiantisnature，\"interruptedConrad;\"howbrilliantlythesunshines，andhowsplendidthelawnlooks！\"
\"Youareafool，oldConrad，torepeatthesewordsfromMY
\'Creation，\'\"saidHaydn，withagentlesmile。\"IwasnotthinkingofMY\'Creation\'atthismoment，butofGod\'screation。AndHecertainlyknewmoreaboutthemusicofthecreationthanIdid，and—
—justlistenhowthenightingalesingsintheelder—bushyonder！ItisanairsuchasistobefoundonlyinGod\'sCreation，and，asJosephHaydn，withallhistalentsandenthusiasm，neverwasabletocompose。Oh，howsweetlythisprimadonnaassolutaofthegoodGodsings，andwhatdivinemelodies，modulations，andharmoniesshewarblesforth，and——Butwhatisthat？\"
\"ThatistheparrotsinginganairfromJosephHaydn\'s\'Creation，\'\"
exclaimedConrad，burstingintotriumphantlaughter。\"Andjustlisten，doctor，theprimadonnaassolutaofthegoodGodhasbecomeentirelysilent，andlistenswithdelighttothedivinemelodies，modulations，andharmoniesofmydearmasterJosephHaydn。\"
\"Youareafool，Conrad，despiteyourseventyyears，\"saidHaydn，\"tocalloldPaperlmyprimadonnaassoluta，andcomparehimwiththenightingale。Buttellme，forGod\'ssake，wheredidthebirdhearthatmelody？Why，Paperlwhistlesthegreatbase—airfrom\'TheCreation\'asthoughhewerethefirstsinger。Wheredidhelearnit？\"
\"Itaughthimthemelody，doctor，\"saidConrad，proudly;\"Igavehimlessonsforthreemonths，andhetookpainstolearnthemelody，forheknewfullwellthatwetwowerepreparingalittlesurpriseandjoyforourdearmaster，thegreatJosephHaydn。\"
\"AndthatisthereasonwhyIhavenotseenPaperlforsolong，\"
saidHaydn，noddinghisheadgently。\"Ididnotwishtoinquireafterhim，forIwasafraidtheanswerwouldbethatthebirdwasdeadandhadgonehometomydearoldwife。\"
\"Well，IamsurePaperlwouldnevergotoher，\"saidConrad，laughing;\"thetwocouldnevergetalongwitheachother，andwerealwaysquarrelling。WheneverPaperlcouldcatchoneofyourwife\'sfingers，hebititwithhisthickbeak，andshehatedthebirdcordiallyforit，andwouldhavepreferredsendinghimtothegravethandescendingintoitherself。ButPaperldidnotdie，andyouneednotbeanxiousonhisaccount，doctor。Suchparrotsliveathousandyears。Therefore，Ilockedhimupinmychamberforthreemonths，andtaughthimthebeautifulair，thatthebirdmightwhistleittomankindathousandyearshence，andremindallofthegreatcomposer，JosephHaydn。\"
\"Ah，mydearoldConrad，\"sighedHaydn，sinkingintotheeasy—chairwhichConradhadplacedforhimunderthefragrantelder—bush，\"athousandyearshencenoonewillknowanythingaboutus，andweshallbenothingbutdustreturnedtodust。ButGodwillremain，andHissunwillshineathousandyearshenceasgloriouslyasitdoesto—day;andHisnightingaleswillsingthesamewonderfulmelodiesfromHiscreationlongaftermy`Creation\'hasbeenforgotten。\"
Hepaused，andclaspinghishandsdevoutly，liftedhiseyestoheaven。Byhisside，onthehighpole，itsrightlegfastenedtoitwithasmallsilverchain，theparrotsat，andfixeditspiercing，sagaciouseyesuponhim;thecatlayatHaydn\'sfeet，andgazedwithphilosophicalequanimityattheflieswhichwerebuzzingfromflowertoflower，andprickedupitsearsattentivelywheneverasmallbirdrustledintheshrubbery，orskippedmerrilyfrombranchtobranchinthefragrantwalnuttree。Besidetheeasy—chairstoodConrad，theoldservant，hisfaithful，honestfaceturnedtowardhismasterwithanexpressionofinfinitetenderness，andquiteabsorbedincontemplatingthismild，smiling，andcalmoctogenarian，whoseeyeswerelookingaroundslowly，andseeminglygreetingGodandNature。
Inthedistancebellswereringingandcallingdevoutworshiperstodivineservice;theirnotesresoundedtremulouslythroughtheairlikeasolemnaccompanimenttothevoicesofNature。
\"Oh，howbeautiful，howbeautiful！\"murmuredHaydn。\"WhycanInotexhalewiththissighofjoymyoldlife，whichisnolongergoodforanything？WhycanInotdiewiththisprayerofgratitudetowardGodonmylips，andwaftmysouluptoheaven，asthatbirdyonderisatthismomentsoaringtowardthesun！\"
\"Oh，sir，whydoyoutalkalreadyofdying？\"criedConrad，anxiously;\"youmustliveyetalongwhile，ajoytomankind，andhonoredandesteemedbythewholeworld。\"
\"Andaburdentomyself，\"sighedHaydn。\"Iamexhausted，Conrad;I
havenolongerstrengthenoughtolive。Thisunfortunatewarcrushedtothegroundandbrokemypoorheart。[Footnote:Haydn\'sownwords。——\"Zeitgenossen，\"vol。iv。，p。36。]WhenNapoleonmadehissecondentranceintoVienna，andourgoodEmperorFrancishadtoescapeagainfromthecapital，Ifeltasthoughmyheartwererentasunder，andthisrentwillneverhealagain。Themisfortunesofmyfatherlandwillcausemetobleedtodeath！Ah，howdreadfulitisthatAustriaandmyemperorwerehumiliatedsoprofoundly，andthattheyhadtobowtotheEmperoroftheFrench！IcannotcomprehendwhytheLordpermitsit，andwhyHedoesnothurldownHisthunderboltsupontheheadofthishypocriticalFrenchemperor，whothrowsthefirebrandofwarintoallpartsofEurope，whoalwayshaspharisaicalwordsofpeaceinhismouth，andgiveshimselftheappearanceofwishingtoreconcileall，whenheisintentonlyonsettingallatvariance。Oh，Conrad，whenIthinkofthisEmperorNapoleon，oftheinnocentbloodwhichhehasalreadyshed，andofthemanythousandvictimswhichhavealreadyfallentohisambition，myheartswellsupinboundlessexasperation，andIbegintodoubteventhegoodnessandjusticeofGod！——Buthush，hush，mywildheart，\"heinterruptedhimself，liftinghiseyeswithabeseechingglancetoheaven。\"Godwillmanageeverythingforthebest。Hewilloneday，withabeckofHishand，hurltheFrenchusurperfromhisthrone，andcauseAustriatorisegreatandpowerfulfromherhumiliatingposition。HewillprotectGermanyfromthewrongsinflicteduponherbyFrance，andavengethedisgracewhicheveryGermanhastosufferatthebandsoftheFrench。ThatisthehopewhichIshalltakewithmeintomygrave;thatistheconfidenceI
haveinThee，OmyGod！\"
Heliftedbothhishandstowardheaven，andprayedinalowvoice。
Thenheroseslowlyfromhischair，andturnedhisheadwithsmilinggreetingsonallsides。
\"Conrad，\"hesaid，gently，\"ItakeleaveofNatureto—day，foritseemstomeasifInevershouldseeagainmydearlittlegarden，theflowersandbirds，thesunandthesky。Oh，farewell，then，greatandholyNature！Ihavelovedtheepassionatelyallmylife，andglorifiedtheeinmyworkstothebestofthepowerwhichGodimpartedtome。Farewell，Nature！farewell，sunshineandfragrantflowers！JosephHaydntakesleaveofyou，forhistaskisfulfilled，andhissoulisweary。Come，myoldConrad，conductmebacktothehouse。Iwillreturntomyroom。Iamtired，ah，soexceedinglytired！\"
HepassedhisarmaroundConrad\'sneck，and，leaninghisotherhandonhiscane，walkedslowlyandpantinglyupthenarrowpath。Atthismomentthenightingaleintheelder—bushrecommenceditsjubilantsong，andatthesametimetheparrotraiseditsshrillvoice，andbegantowhistlethesweetnotesoftheairfromHaydn\'s\"Creation。\"
Haydnstoodstillandlistened。\"Conrad，\"hesaid，inalowvoice，\"wewillnowconsultanoracleastomylifeanddeath。Iftheparrotpausesfirst，Ishalldiesoon;ifthenightingalepauses，Godwillpermitmetoliveawhilelonger。\"
Heliftedhiseyesdevoutlytothesky，overwhoseazureplainwhitecloudletswerescuddinglikesilverswans，andhislipsmutteredalowprayer。
Thenightingalestillsangitswonderfullove—songs，andtheparrottriedtodrownitsnoteswithHaydn\'sbeautifulmelody。
Conradsmiledblissfully。\"MyPaperlhasalongbreath，\"hesaid，\"andthenightingalewillbeunabletocopewithhim;Rupertwillout—singit。\"
Butthenightingale，asifirritatedbythisrivalry，nowseemedtoputforthitswholeartandstrength。Theringingtrillswerefollowedbylong，sweet，flute—notes，whichfilledtheairlikeajoyoushymnoftenderness，drowningthevoicesofallotherbirds，andthesighingbreeze，andseemedtoarousetheflowersfromtheirsweetslumber，tilltheytrembledwithblissfultransports，andsoftlyraisedtheirflowerycrownstowardthebloomingelder，inwhosedarkfoliagewasconcealedthenightingale，Nature\'sgreatandyetmodestartiste。
Yes，allNatureseemedtolistenwithblissfulattentiontothiswonderfulsongofthenightingale，andeventheparrotcouldnolongerresistthecharm。Paperlhesitated，thencommencedagain，hesitatedasecondtime，andwassilent。
Haydndroppedhisclaspedhandsslowly，andturnedhiseyesfromheaventoearth。\"Iknewitfullwell，\"hemurmured;\"theoraclehasdecidedmyfate，andJosephHaydn\'s\'Creation\'issilencedbyGod\'screation。Comeintothehouse，Conrad;Iamcoldandtired。Butfirstgivemeafewofmyfragrantfriends，mydearflowers。Theyshallspeaktomeinmyroomofthesplendorandbeautyoftheworld。\"
Conradgatheredhastilyafullbouquetofroses，pinks，andelder—
flowers，driedthetearsfillinghiseyes，andconductedhismastercarefullybackintothehouse。
Hehadjustseatedhiminhiseasy—chair，andplacedtheembroideredcushionunderhisfeet，whentheshrillstreet—bellresoundedinthehall。
\"Goandseewhoisthere，\"saidHaydn，holdingthebouquetinbothhishands，andcontemplatingitwithlovingeyes。
Conradslippedoutoftheroomandreturnedinafewminutes。