Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/24

40 neither do I myself rightly understand. A deep emotion overcame me, and caused my tears to flow, whilst a world of half-defined feelings, thoughts, presentiments, arose in my soul. I wept, but I was happy, astonished by a something new and wonderful, which resembled a revelation within myself.

I came to Berne merely to proceed thence to Lausanne. The object of my journey was a year's residence and quiet study on the shores of the Lake of Geneva. But at this moment the horizon extended itself, and it was as though I saw sun-cycle beyond sun-cycle shining above my path into a remote distance, and as it were gleaming out of the clouds, the towers of primeval and renowned cities, to which I, as yet, did not dare to give the name. The wonderful vision disappeared with the magical pomp of colors, and the melodies which called it forth. But that which remained, that which still remains in my soul, of this never-to-be-forgotten morning and evening, is the sense of inner, unimpaired health and strength, together with a presentiment of a larger purpose in my journey than I myself had given to it.

I was again free, after several gloomy, sorrowful years; free, not through my own individual endeavor, but released by God's mighty hand. I had before me an unlimited time which I might devote in freedom and peace to the solution of many long-cherished questions and investigations. Well, then! for these I will live, and endeavor to strengthen my half thoughts and my half light, and see if they cannot lead me to