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。