Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/18

 the twilight of these trees. But where am I? Whither have I wandered? And I wander vainly! Vainly do I call to all corners of the world: “Prince Radúz! Prince Radúz”! Only the echo laughs in response, and a fierce wind tears the words from my lips to cast them into the void.

Radúz (In his sleep).—Ah, wretched me what have I done!

Radovid.—Is that the raving of a demon or really his voice?

Radúz (In his sleep)—That blood is hot How it spurted into my face!

Radovid (Catching sight of him and running to him).—My Prince! O, my Radúz! So I have found thee, at last!

Radúz (Awakened).—Where shall I wash off the blood? Where am I? What is happening? It is morning! The sun has arisen again, the golden bird! Ah, Radovid, is it really thou?

Radovid.—It is I, yes, dear soul!

Radúz—Welcome, then, welcome! How hast thou found me? And why hast thou sought me?

Radovid.—How have I found thee? By mere chance. So at least it seems—but who knows? Perchance, seest thou, my yearning heart has led me, or some kind fate that wishes thee well. Why havelI sought thee? It is a sin that thou dost ask me such a thing, in very truth. What else could I do, when thou hast been missing from home for two days and thy father and mother have been dying of fear? And all in the palace guessed in vain whither thou couldst have vanished. I was silent, but suspected in what direction thou hadst set out. Have I not so often seen thee, wrapt in thought, in a strange dream gazing hither toward those high mountains which seem everlastingly to threaten Magura from a distance? What lured thee ever into this dangerous distance?

Radúz.—What is it that ever lures us into the distance? That which in it is for us unknown. It is the trees that I was ever drawn by, the mystery of those forests which I had seen eternally black upon the horizon; I was ever drawn by those lofty mountain summits which each morning the young dawn kisses to gold and crimson! I would fain know the stories that the clouds tell them. And I have always envied the clouds and the birds, that they could soar freely from the heavens down to the depths of the ravines and the deep valleys, in that region to me unknown.