O. T., A Danish Romance - Ганс Христиан Андерсен 5 стр.

Upon the hill all was now deserted and quiet. Bajazzo and il Padrone slept behind the thin linen partition, under a coverlid. The moon set, but the night was clear; no clear, frosty winter night has a snore beautiful starry heaven to exhibit. Wilhelms party was merry, quickly flew the hours away; singing in chorus, the party wandered through the wood, and down toward the strand. The day already dawned; a red streak along the horizon announced its approach.

Nature sang to them the mythos of the creation of the world, even as she had sung it to Moses, who wrote down this voice from God, interpreted by Nature. Light banished the darkness, heaven and earth were parted; at first birds showed themselves in the clear air; later rose the beasts of the field; and, last of all, appeared man.

The morning is fairly sultry, said Wilhelm; the sea resembles a mirror: shall we not bathe?

The proposal was accepted.

There we have the Naiades already! said one of the party, as a swarm of fishermens wives and daughters, with naked feet, their green petticoats tucked up, and baskets upon their backs, in which they carried fish to Copenhagen, came along the road. The gay young fellows cast toward the prettiest glances as warm and glowing as that cast by the sun himself, who, at this moment, came forth and shone over the Sound, where a splendid three-masted vessel had spread all her sails to catch each breeze. The company reached the strand.

There is some one already swimming out yonder, said Wilhelm. He stands it bravely. That is an excellent swimmer!

Here lie his clothes, remarked another.

How! exclaimed Wilhelm: this is Otto Thostrups coat! But Otto cannot swim; I have never been able to persuade him to bathe. Now, we will out and make a nearer acquaintance.

Yes, certainly it is he, said another; he is now showing his skill.

Then he must have been all night in the wood, exclaimed Wilhelm. Yes, indeed, hes a fine bird. Does he fly us? He shall pay for this. Good night in the water, or in any other improper place? To quit friends without saying a word does not appertain to the customs of civilized people. Since you, therefore, show yourself such a man of nature, we will carry away your garments; it cannot annoy you in puris naturalibus to seek us out in the wood.

Otto raised his head, but was silent.

Now, will you not come forth? cried Wilhelm. Only kneeling before each of us can you receive the separate articles of your dress, so that you may again appear as a civilized European. And saying this he divided the clothes among the others; each one held an article in his hand.

Leave such jokes! cried Otto with singular earnestness. Lay down the clothes, and retire!

Aye, that we will, presently, returned Wilhelm. You are a fine fellow! You cannot swim, you say. Now, if you should not kneel

Retire! cried Otto, or I will swim out into the stream, and not return again!

That might be original enough, answered Wilhelm. Swim forth, or come and kneel here!

Wilhelm! cried Otto, with an affecting sigh, and in a moment swam forth with quick strokes.

There he shoots away, said one of the party. How he cuts the waves! He is a splendid swimmer!

Smiling they gazed over the expanse; Otto swam even farther out.

But where will he swim to? exclaimed, somewhat gravely, one of the spectators. He will certainly lose his strength before he returns the same distance.

They unmoored the boat. Otto swam far out at sea; with quick strokes of the oars they rowed after him.

Where is he now? cried Wilhelm shortly afterwards; I see him no longer.

Yes, there he comes up again, said another; but his strength is leaving him.

On! on! cried Wilhelm; he will be drowned if we do not come to his help. Only seehe sinks!

Otto had lost all power; his head disappeared beneath the water. The friends had nearly reached him; Wilhelm and several of the best swimmers flung from themselves boots and coats, sprang into the sea, and dived under the water. A short and noiseless moment passed. One of the swimmers appeared above water. He is dead! were the first words heard. Wilhelm and the three others now appeared with Otto; the boat was near oversetting as they brought him into it. Deathly pale lay he there, a beautifully formed marble statue, the picture of a young gladiator fallen in the arena.

The friends busied themselves about him, rubbing his breast and hands, whilst two others rowel toward the land.

He breathes! said Wilhelm.

Otto opened his eyes; his lips moved; his gaze became firmer; a deep crimson spread itself over his breast and countenance; he raised himself and Wilhelm supported him. Suddenly a deep sigh burst from his breast; he thrust Wilhelm from him, and, like a madman, seized an article of dress to cover himself with; then, with a convulsive trembling of the lips, he said to Wilhelm, who held his hand, I HATE YOU!

CHAPTER VI

Not half an hour after this adventure a carriage rolled toward the citya large carriage, containing three seats, but, beside the coachman, there was only one person within. This was Otto; his lips were pale; death, it is true, had touched them. Alone he dashed forward; his last words to Wilhelm had been his only ones.

He has lost his wits, said one of the friends.

It is a fit of madness, answered another, such as he was seized with at the examination, when he only sent in a scrap of white paper for the mathematical examination, because he felt himself offended by the inspector.

I could quite vex myself about my stupid joke, said Wilhelm. I ought to have known him better; he is of a strange, unhappy character. Give me your hands! We will mention to no one what has occurred; it would only give occasion to a deal of gossip, and wound him deeply, and he is an excellent, glorious fellow.

They gave their hands upon it, and drove toward the city.

The same day, toward evening, we again seek Otto. We find him in his chamber. Silent, with crossed arms, he stands before a print, a copy of Horace Vernets representation of Mazeppa, who, naked and bound upon a wild horse, rushes through the forest. Wolves thrust forth their heads and exhibit their sharp teeth.

My own life! sighed Otto. I also am bound to this careering wild horse. And no friend, not a single one! Wilhelm, I could kill thee! I could see you all lying in your blood! O, Almighty God! He pressed his hands before his face and threw himself into a seat; his eyes, however, again directed themselves toward the picture; it exhibited a moment similar to the condition of his own mind.

The door now opened, and Wilhelm stood before him.

How do you find yourself, Thostrup? he inquired. We are still friends as before? and he wished to give his hand. Otto drew back his. I have done nothing which could so much offend you, said Wilhelm; the whole was merely a joke! Give me your hand, and we will speak no more of the affair!

To the man whom I hate, I never reach my hand, replied Otto and his lips were white like his cheeks.

A second time to-day you speak these words to me, said Wilhelm, and the blood rushed to his face. We were friends, wherefore cannot we be so still? Have people slandered me to you? Have they told lies about me? Only tell me faithfully, and I shall be able to defend myself.

To the man whom I hate, I never reach my hand, replied Otto and his lips were white like his cheeks.

A second time to-day you speak these words to me, said Wilhelm, and the blood rushed to his face. We were friends, wherefore cannot we be so still? Have people slandered me to you? Have they told lies about me? Only tell me faithfully, and I shall be able to defend myself.

You must fight with me! said Otto; and his glance became more gloomy. Wilhelm was silent; there reigned a momentary stillness. Otto suppressed a deep sigh. At length Wilhelm broke silence, and said, with a grave and agitated voice,I am so thoughtless, I joke so often, and regard everything from the ridiculous side. But for all that I have both heart and feeling. You must have known how much dearer you were to me than most other people. You are so still, although you offend me. At this moment your blood is in a fever; not now, but after a few days, you yourself will best see which of us is the offended party. You demand that I fight with you; I will if your honor requires this satisfaction: but you must lay before me an acceptable reason. I will know wherefore we risk our lives. Let some days pass by; weigh all with your understanding and your heart! It will still depend upon yourself whether we remain friends as before. Farewell! And Wilhelm went.

Each of his words had penetrated to Ottos heart. A moment he stood silent and undecided, then his limbs trembled involuntarily, tears streamed from his eyesit was a convulsive fit of weeping; he pressed his head back. God, how unfortunate I am! were his only words.

So passed some minutes; he had ceased to weep, and was calm; suddenly he sprang up, shot the bolt in the door, drew down the blinds, lighted his candle, and once more looked searchingly around: the key-hole was also stopped up. He then flung his coat away from him and uncovered the upper part of his body.

CHAPTER VII

Early the following morning, whilst Wilhelm still slept and dreamed of his beloved sisters, well-known footsteps sounded on the stairs, the door opened, and Otto stepped into the sleeping-room. Wilhelm opened his eyes. Otto was pale; a sleepless night and sorrow of heart had breathed upon his brow and eyes.

Thostrup! cried Wilhelm, with joyous surprise, and stretched forth his hand toward him, but it again sank; Otto seized it, and pressed it firmly in his own, adding at the same time, with gravity,You have humbled me! Is that sufficient satisfaction for you?

We are then friends! said Wilhelm. Friends must be very indulgent toward each other. Yesterday you were a little strange, to-morrow I may be so; that is the way in which one retaliates.

Otto pressed his hand. We will never speak again of the occurrence of yesterday!

Never! repeated Wilhelm, affected by the strange gravity of his friend.

You are a noble, a good creature! said Otto, and bent over him; his lips touched Wilhelms forehead.

Wilhelm seized his hand, and gazed frankly into his eye. You are not happy! exclaimed he. If I cannot assist you, I can, at least, dear Otto, honestly share the grief of a friend!

Even on that very point we may never speak! replied Otto. Farewell! I have determined on travelling home; we have only vacation for a few weeks, and I have not been in Jutland since I became a student. Even a months sojourn there cannot throw me back; I am well prepared for the philosophicum.

And when will you set out? asked Wilhelm.

To-morrow, with the steamboat. It is hot and sultry here in the city: my blood becomes heated: it will, also, soon be a year since I saw my family.

Thostrup! exclaimed Wilhelm, through whom a thought suddenly flashed, I should also like to see my family; they have written to me to come. Listen: make your journey through Funen, and only remain three or four days with us. My mothers carriage shall convey you then to Middelfart. Say Yes, and we will set out this evening.

That cannot be done! replied Otto; but half an hour later, as both sat together over the tea-table, and Wilhelm repeated his wish, Otto consented, but certainly more through a feeling of obligation than through any pleasure of his own. Toward evening, therefore, they set out in the beautiful summer night to travel through Zealand.

Smartly dressed families wandered pleasantly through the city gate toward the summer theatre and Fredericksberg. The evening sun shone upon the column of Liberty; the beautiful obelisk, around which stand Wiedewelts statues, one of which still weeps,

where were closed the eyes of the artist. Was it the remembrance which here clouded Ottos glance, as his eye rested upon the statues as they drove past, or did his own soul, perhaps, mirror itself in his eyes?

Here it is gay and animated! said Wilhelm, wishing to commence a conversation. Vesterbro is certainly your most brilliant suburb. It forms a city by itself,a little state! There upon the hill lies the Kings Castle, and there on the left, between the willows, the poets dwelling, where old Rahbek lived with his Kamma!

Castle and poets dwelling! repeated Otto; the time will be when they will inspire equal interest!

That old place will soon be pulled down! said Wilhelm; in such a beautiful situation, so near the city, a splendid villa will be raised, and nothing more remind one of Philemon and Baucis!

The old trees in the park will be spared! said Otto; in the garden the flowers will scent the air, and remind one of Kammas flowers. Rahbek was no great poet, but he possessed a true poets soul, labored faithfully in the great vineyard, and loved flowers as Kamma loved them.

The friends hail left Fredericksberg behind them. The white walls of the castle glanced through the green boughs; behind Söndermark, the large, wealthy village stretched itself out. The sun had set before they reached the Dam-house, where the wild swans, coming from the ocean, build in the fresh water fake. This is the last point of beauty; nothing but lonely fields, with here and there a cairn, extend to the horizon.

The clear summers night attracted their gaze upward; the postilion blew his horn, and the carriage rolled toward the town of Roeskilde, the St. Denis of Denmark, where kings turn to dust; where Hroars spring still flows, and its waters mingle with those of Issefjords.

They drove to a public-house to change horses. A young girl conducted the friends into the public room; she lighted the way for them. Her slender figure and her floating gait drew Wilhelms attention toward her; his hand touched her shoulder, she sprang aside and fixed her beautiful grave eyes upon him; but their expression became milder, she smiled and colored at the same time.

You are the sister of little Jonas! cried Wilhelm, recognizing the young girl he had seen with him at Christmas.

I must also thank you, said she, for your kindness toward the poor boy! She quickly placed the lights on the table, and left the room with a gentle glance.

She is beautiful, very beautiful! exclaimed Wilhelm. That was really quite a pleasant meeting.

Is it then you, Herr Baron, who honor me thus? cried the host, stepping inan elderly man with a jovial countenance. Yes, the Baron will doubtless visit his dear relations in hunch? It is now some little time since you were there.