Page:Popular Tales of the Germans (Volume 1).djvu/227

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OF THE VEIL.
209

wanting! For my part, I had no eyes but for the charming Zoe, who has never more appeared. Meanwhile I preſerve the ring in my box, as an holy relic, and in my heart the memory of my tender affection, as a ſacred depoſit. Where I found the packet I have planted roſes and lilies, lovage and forget-me-not. In the deceitful hope of the return of my beloved miſtreſs, time has bowed me towards the earth, and ploughed deep furrows in my forehead. Yet the arrival of the ſwans, by reminding me of the adventure of my youth, and the pleaſanteſt dream of my life, ſtill affords me pleaſure. Whenever I now caſt a ſerious look upon the paſt, from the margin of my earthly pilgrimage, I feel an uncomfortable ſenſation at having ſquandered away my life, as a ſpendthrift his riches, without fruit or enjoyment. It is gone like the viſion of a long winter’s night, to which the fancy ſtill clings with fondneſs, and which when you awake leaves fatigue rather than refreſhment‘behind