Page:The New Arcadia (Tucker).djvu/100

90 "Aye, well I do, one of the finest chapters the sage ever dreamed."

"You remember," she continued, "the world-sick Teufelsdröckh ascending the mountain-side, breathing disappointment and defiance with every step, and, looking down on a scene such as this, being softened at last by the sights and sounds of a smiling hamlet. Beautiful it was to sit there musing and meditating," repeated the girl. "I think I know the passage by heart. 'In the high table-lands in front of the mountains; over me the roof, the azure dome ... And then to fancy the fair castles that stood sheltered in these mountain hollows, or, better still, the straw-roofed cottages, wherein stood many a mother baking bread, with her children around her—all hidden and protectingly folded up in the valley folds.' I forget the rest," said the maiden, hesitatingly. "You remember," she continued after a pause, "the homely descriptions, and, further on, that pathetic passage—may I try to quote it?—'With other eyes could I now look upon my fellow-men; with an infinite love; with an infinite pity. Art thou not tried and beaten with stripes, even as I? Art thou not so weary, so heavy-laden, and thy bed of rest is but the grave? Oh, my brother, my brother, why cannot I shelter thee in my bosom, and wipe away all tears from thy eyes? The poor Earth, with her poor joys, was now my needy mother. Man, with his so mad wants and so mean endeavours, had become the dearer to me; and even for his suffering and his sins I now first named him Brother.'"

"Thank you very much," replied Travers, as they drove on. "I shall always associate this familiar scene with that passage. There is much that is soothing and invigorating in the prospect of Nature's peace, especially when evidences of man's domestic joys and husbandry