Читать книгу Casper Hauser - Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois - Страница 6

PREFACE

All Germany, then later, the whole of Europe, echoed with the misfortunes and cruel captivity of Casper Hauser.

Torn from his mother’s arms at birth, he was thrown into a cell where eighteen years of his life unfolded. There, deprived of light and sunshine, having only some shreds of clothes to cover himself with, and to appease his hunger only a little bread which his guardian from time to time threw him—he endured unheard of tortures during this long space of time.

And later, when freed by a miracle, it seemed a happier life was promised him. When already, his promptly developed intelligence made him experience the harms of life, caused him to admire the marvels of creation, to which, he, poor prisoner was to live a stranger, his persecutors reawakened more numerous and more relentless.

Several times they attempted his life. In vain the Court of Vienna tried to protect him; his enemies, who, surrounded by a deep mystery, knew how to approach him without cease, for they were high and mighty; for if the secret of the birth of their victim had been discovered, a great name would have been substituted for that of Casper Hauser.

The poor child was obliged to succumb in this unequal struggle, and Casper Hauser died, carrying with him into the tomb the names of his cruel persecutors, and the secret of his birth.

The drama that Casper Hauser inspired was written, rehearsed, and played in nineteen days. That says enough of all the gratitude the authors owe to the artists who seconded them with their talent and their zeal, to the skilled painters who improvised the delightful decorations of the Second Act; finally, to the directors, who, taking the reins of administration, have completely demonstrated tireless activity.

—Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois & Adolphe d’Ennery

June 6, 1838