Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/113

 But soon the light became so strong, that I rose, and found every thing, as it were, in a blaze, and large streams of light passing to and fro through the chamber, which at times, emitted numerous sparkling particles, that threw a party colored glaze on every object.

A soft rustling, as if the wind blew through the strings of a harp, now passed by me; I rung for my people, but the string of the bell broke at the first touch, I attempted to leap from the bed, but felt myself held fast by some invisible power. I expected to lose the sight of these terrors in a beneficent swoon, but my senses, already accustomed to similar apparitions, even denied me this last office.

Art last the glare changed into a thick mist, and I saw a white form,-with eyes darting fury, advance towards me.

—"Who art thou?" cried I.

—"I am thy genius Amanuel," was the answer in a hollow but soft tone, "I have to warn thee, not to fly with Elmira. Obey me, for I am thy friend."

—"Who sends thee?"