Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 1792

There exist moments in the life of man,

When he is nearer the great Soul of the world

Than is man's custom, and possesses freely

The power of questioning his destiny:

And such a moment 'twas, when in the night

Before the action in the plains of Lützen,

Leaning against a tree, thoughts crowding thoughts,

I look'd out far upon the ominous plain.

My whole life, past and future, in this moment

Before my mind's eye glided in procession,

And to the destiny of the next morning

The spirit, fill'd with anxious presentiment,

Did knit the most removed futurity.

Then said I also to myself: "So many

Dost thou command. They follow all thy stars

And as on some great number set their All

Upon thy single head, and only man

The vessel of thy fortune. Yet a day

Will come when Destiny shall once more scatter

All these in many a several direction:

Few be they who will stand out faithful to thee."

I yearn'd to know which one was faithfullest

Of all, this camp included. Great Destiny,

Give me a sign! And he shall be the man,

Who, on the approaching morning, comes the first

To meet me with a token of his love.

And thinking this, I fell into a slumber.

Then midmost in the battle was I led

In spirit. Great the pressure and the tumult!

Then was my horse kil'd under me; I sank;

And over me away, all unconcernedly,

Drove horse and rider—and thus trod to pieces

I lay, and panted like a dying man;

Then seized me suddenly a savior arm;

It was Octavio's—I awoke at once;

'Twas broad day, and Octavio stood before me. "My brother," said he, "do not ride today The dapple, as you're wont; but mount the horse Which I have chosen for thee. Do it, brother! In love to me. A strong dream warn'd me so." It was the swiftness of his horse that snatch'd me From the hot pursuit of Bannier's dragoons. My cousin rode the dapple on that day, And never more saw I of horse or rider.