Books: Peter Schlemihl etc.
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Chamisso et. al. >> Peter Schlemihl etc.
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I now reflected on my situation with the utmost uneasiness. I dared
not take a single step beyond my own door; and in the evening I had
forty wax tapers lighted before I ventured to leave the shade. I
reflected with horror on the frightful encounter with the school-
boys; yet I resolved, if I could command sufficient courage, to put
the public opinion to a second trial. The nights were now
moonlight. Late in the evening I wrapped myself in a large cloak,
pulled my hat over my eyes, and, trembling like a criminal, stole
out of the house.
I did not venture to leave the friendly shadow of the houses until I
had reached a distant part of the town; and then I emerged into the
broad moonlight, fully prepared to hear my fate from the lips of the
passers-by.
Spare me, my beloved friend, the painful recital of all that I was
doomed to endure. The women often expressed the deepest sympathy
for me--a sympathy not less piercing to my soul than the scoffs of
the young people, and the proud contempt of the men, particularly of
the more corpulent, who threw an ample shadow before them. A fair
and beauteous maiden, apparently accompanied by her parents, who
gravely kept looking straight before them, chanced to cast a beaming
glance on me; but was evidently startled at perceiving that I was
without a shadow, and hiding her lovely face in her veil, and
holding down her head, passed silently on.
This was past all endurance. Tears streamed from my eyes; and with
a heart pierced through and through, I once more took refuge in the
shade. I leant on the houses for support, and reached home at a
late hour, worn out with fatigue.
I passed a sleepless night. My first care the following morning
was, to devise some means of discovering the man in the grey cloak.
Perhaps I may succeed in finding him; and how fortunate it were if
he should be as ill satisfied with his bargain as I am with mine!
I desired Bendel to be sent for, who seemed to possess some tact and
ability. I minutely described to him the individual who possessed a
treasure without which life itself was rendered a burden to me. I
mentioned the time and place at which I had seen him, named all the
persons who were present, and concluded with the following
directions: --He was to inquire for a Dollond's telescope, a Turkey
carpet interwoven with gold, a marquee, and, finally, for some black
steeds--the history, without entering into particulars, of all these
being singularly connected with the mysterious character who seemed
to pass unnoticed by every one, but whose appearance had destroyed
the peace and happiness of my life.
As I spoke I produced as much gold as I could hold in my two hands,
and added jewels and precious stones of still greater value.
"Bendel," said I, "this smooths many a path, and renders that easy
which seems almost impossible. Be not sparing of it, for I am not
so; but go, and rejoice thy master with intelligence on which depend
all his hopes."
He departed, and returned late and melancholy.
None of Mr. John's servants, none of his guests (and Bendel had
spoken to them all) had the slightest recollection of the man in the
grey cloak.
The new telescope was still there, but no one knew how it had come;
and the tent and Turkey carpet were still stretched out on the hill.
The servants boasted of their master's wealth; but no one seemed to
know by what means he had become possessed of these newly acquired
luxuries. He was gratified; and it gave him no concern to be
ignorant how they had come to him. The black coursers which had
been mounted on that day were in the stables of the young gentlemen
of the party, who admired them as the munificent present of Mr.
John.
Such was the information I gained from Bendel's detailed account;
but, in spite of this unsatisfactory result, his zeal and prudence
deserved and received my commendation. In a gloomy mood, I made him
a sign to withdraw.
"I have, sir," he continued, "laid before you all the information in
my power relative to the subject of the most importance to you. I
have now a message to deliver which I received early this morning
from a person at the gate, as I was proceeding to execute the
commission in which I have so unfortunately failed. The man's words
were precisely these: 'Tell your master, Peter Schlemihl, he will
not see me here again. I am going to cross the sea; a favourable
wind now calls all the passengers on board; but, in a year and a day
I shall have the honour of paying him a visit; when, in all
probability, I shall have a proposal to make to him of a very
agreeable nature. Commend me to him most respectfully, with many
thanks.' I inquired his name; but he said you would remember him."
"What sort of person was he?" cried I, in great emotion; and Bendel
described the man in the grey coat feature by feature, word for
word; in short, the very individual in search of whom he had been
sent. "How unfortunate!" cried I bitterly; "it was himself."
Scales, as it were, fell from Bendel's eyes. "Yes, it was he,"
cried he, "undoubtedly it was he; and fool, madman, that I was, I
did not recognise him--I did not, and have betrayed my master!" He
then broke out into a torrent of self-reproach; and his distress
really excited my compassion. I endeavoured to console him,
repeatedly assuring him that I entertained no doubt of his fidelity;
and despatched him immediately to the wharf, to discover, if
possible, some trace of the extraordinary being. But on that very
morning many vessels which had been detained in port by contrary
winds had set sail, all bound to different parts of the globe; and
the grey man had disappeared like a shadow.
CHAPTER II.
Of what use were wings to a man fast bound in chains of iron? They
would but increase the horror of his despair. Like the dragon
guarding his treasure, I remained cut off from all human
intercourse, and starving amidst my very gold, for it gave me no
pleasure: I anathematised it as the source of all my wretchedness.
Sole depository of my fearful secret, I trembled before the meanest
of my attendants, whom, at the same time, I envied; for he possessed
a shadow, and could venture to go out in the daytime; while I shut
myself up in my room day and night, and indulged in all the
bitterness of grief.
One individual, however, was daily pining away before my eyes--my
faithful Bendel, who was the victim of silent self-reproach,
tormenting himself with the idea that he had betrayed the confidence
reposed in him by a good master, in failing to recognise the
individual in quest of whom he had been sent, and with whom he had
been led to believe that my melancholy fate was closely connected.
Still, I had nothing to accuse him with, as I recognised in the
occurrence the mysterious character of the unknown.
In order to leave no means untried, I one day despatched Bendel with
a costly ring to the most celebrated artist in the town, desiring
him to wait upon me. He came; and, dismissing the attendants, I
secured the door, placing myself opposite to him, and, after
extolling his art, with a heavy heart came to the point, first
enjoining the strictest secrecy.
"For a person," said I, "who most unfortunately has lost his shadow,
could you paint a false one?"
"Do you speak of the natural shadow?"
"Precisely so."
"But," he asked, "by what awkward negligence can a man have lost his
shadow?"
"How it occurred," I answered, "is of no consequence; but it was in
this manner"--(and here I uttered an unblushing falsehood)--"he was
travelling in Russia last winter, and one bitterly cold day it froze
so intensely, that his shadow remained so fixed to the ground, that
it was found impossible to remove it."
"The false shadow that I might paint," said the artist, "would be
liable to be lost on the slightest movement, particularly in a
person who, from your account, cares so little about his shadow. A
person without a shadow should keep out of the sun, that is the only
safe and rational plan."
He rose and took his leave, casting so penetrating a look at me that
I shrunk from it. I sank back in my chair, and hid my face in my
hands.
In this attitude Bendel found me, and was about to withdraw silently
and respectfully on seeing me in such a state of grief: looking up,
overwhelmed with my sorrows, I felt that I must communicate them to
him. "Bendel," I exclaimed, "Bendel, thou the only being who seest
and respectest my grief too much to inquire into its cause--thou who
seemest silently and sincerely to sympathise with me--come and share
my confidence. The extent of my wealth I have not withheld from
thee, neither will I conceal from thee the extent of my grief.
Bendel! forsake me not. Bendel, you see me rich, free, beneficent;
you fancy all the world in my power; yet you must have observed that
I shun it, and avoid all human intercourse. You think, Bendel, that
the world and I are at variance; and you yourself, perhaps, will
abandon me, when I acquaint you with this fearful secret. Bendel, I
am rich, free, generous; but, O God, I have NO SHADOW!"
"No shadow!" exclaimed the faithful young man, tears starting from
his eyes. "Alas! that I am born to serve a master without a
shadow!" He was silent, and again I hid my face in my hands.
"Bendel," at last I tremblingly resumed, "you have now my
confidence; you may betray me--go--bear witness against me!"
He seemed to be agitated with conflicting feelings; at last he threw
himself at my feet and seized my hand, which he bathed with his
tears. "No," he exclaimed; "whatever the world may say, I neither
can nor will forsake my excellent master because he has lost his
shadow. I will rather do what is right than what may seem prudent.
I will remain with you--I will shade you with my own shadow--I will
assist you when I can--and when I cannot, I will weep with you."
I fell upon his neck, astonished at sentiments so unusual; for it
was very evident that he was not prompted by the love of money.
My mode of life and my fate now became somewhat different. It is
incredible with what provident foresight Bendel contrived to conceal
my deficiency. Everywhere he was before me and with me, providing
against every contingency, and in cases of unlooked-for danger,
flying to shield me with his own shadow, for he was taller and
stouter than myself. Thus I once more ventured among mankind, and
began to take a part in worldly affairs. I was compelled, indeed,
to affect certain peculiarities and whims; but in a rich man they
seem only appropriate; and so long as the truth was kept concealed I
enjoyed all the honour and respect which gold could procure.
I now looked forward with more composure to the promised visit of
the mysterious unknown at the expiration of the year and a day.
I was very sensible that I could not venture to remain long in a
place where I had once been seen without a shadow, and where I might
easily be betrayed; and perhaps, too, I recollected my first
introduction to Mr. John, and this was by no means a pleasing
reminiscence. However, I wished just to make a trial here, that I
might with greater ease and security visit some other place. But my
vanity for some time withheld me, for it is in this quality of our
race that the anchor takes the firmest hold.
Even the lovely Fanny, whom I again met in several places, without
her seeming to recollect that she had ever seen me before, bestowed
some notice on me; for wit and understanding were mine in abundance
now. When I spoke, I was listened to; and I was at a loss to know
how I had so easily acquired the art of commanding attention, and
giving the tone to the conversation.
The impression which I perceived I had made upon this fair one
completely turned my brain; and this was just what she wished.
After that, I pursued her with infinite pains through every
obstacle. My vanity was only intent on exciting hers to make a
conquest of me; but although the intoxication disturbed my head, it
failed to make the least impression on my heart.
But why detail to you the oft-repeated story which I have so often
heard from yourself?
However, in the old and well-known drama in which I played so worn-
out a part a catastrophe occurred of quite a peculiar nature, in a
manner equally unexpected to her, to me, and to everybody.
One beautiful evening I had, according to my usual custom, assembled
a party in a garden, and was walking arm-in-arm with Fanny at a
little distance from the rest of the company, and pouring into her
ear the usual well-turned phrases, while she was demurely gazing on
vacancy, and now and then gently returning the pressure of my hand.
The moon suddenly emerged from behind a cloud at our back. Fanny
perceived only her own shadow before us. She started, looked at me
with terror, and then again on the ground, in search of my shadow.
All that was passing in her mind was so strangely depicted in her
countenance, that I should have burst into a loud fit of laughter
had I not suddenly felt my blood run cold within me. I suffered her
to fall from my arm in a fainting-fit; shot with the rapidity of an
arrow through the astonished guests, reached the gate, threw myself
into the first conveyance I met with, and returned to the town,
where this time, unfortunately, I had left the wary Bendel. He was
alarmed on seeing me: one word explained all. Post-horses were
immediately procured. I took with me none of my servants, one
cunning knave only excepted, called Rascal, who had by his
adroitness become very serviceable to me, and who at present knew
nothing of what had occurred--I travelled thirty leagues that night;
having left Bendel behind to discharge my servants, pay my debts,
and bring me all that was necessary.
When he came up with me next day, I threw myself into his arms,
vowing to avoid such follies and to be more careful for the future.
We pursued our journey uninterruptedly over the frontiers and
mountains; and it was not until I had placed this lofty barrier
between myself and the before-mentioned unlucky town that I was
persuaded to recruit myself after my fatigues in a neighbouring and
little-frequented watering-place.
I must now pass rapidly over one period of my history, on which how
gladly would I dwell, could I conjure up your lively powers of
delineation! But the vivid hues which are at your command, and
which alone can give life and animation to the picture, have left no
trace within me; and were I now to endeavour to recall the joys, the
griefs, the pure and enchanting emotions, which once held such
powerful dominion in my breast, it would be like striking a rock
which yields no longer the living spring, and whose spirit has fled
for ever. With what an altered aspect do those bygone days now
present themselves to my gaze!
In this watering-place I acted an heroic character, badly studied;
and being a novice on such a stage, I forgot my part before a pair
of lovely blue eyes.
All possible means were used by the infatuated parents to conclude
the bargain; and deception put an end to these usual artifices. And
that is all--all.
The powerful emotions which once swelled my bosom seem now in the
retrospect to be poor and insipid, nay, even terrible to me.
Alas, Minna! as I wept for thee the day I lost thee, so do I now
weep that I can no longer retrace thine image in my soul.
Am I, then, so far advanced into the vale of years? O fatal effects
of maturity! would that I could feel one throb, one emotion of
former days of enchantment--alas, not one! a solitary being, tossed
on the wild ocean of life--it is long since I drained thine
enchanted cup to the dregs!
But to return to my narrative. I had sent Bendel to the little town
with plenty of money to procure me a suitable habitation. He spent
my gold profusely; and as he expressed himself rather reservedly
concerning his distinguished master (for I did not wish to be
named), the good people began to form rather extraordinary
conjectures.
As soon as my house was ready for my reception, Bendel returned to
conduct me to it. We set out on our journey. About a league from
the town, on a sunny plain, we were stopped by a crowd of people,
arrayed in holiday attire for some festival. The carriage stopped.
Music, bells, cannons, were heard; and loud acclamations rang
through the air.
Before the carriage now appeared in white dresses a chorus of
maidens, all of extraordinary beauty; but one of them shone in
resplendent loveliness, and eclipsed the rest as the sun eclipses
the stars of night. She advanced from the midst of her companions,
and, with a lofty yet winning air, blushingly knelt before me,
presenting on a silken cushion a wreath, composed of laurel
branches, the olive, and the rose, saying something respecting
majesty, love, honour, &c., which I could not comprehend; but the
sweet and silvery magic of her tones intoxicated my senses and my
whole soul: it seemed as if some heavenly apparition were hovering
over me. The chorus now began to sing the praises of a good
sovereign, and the happiness of his subjects. All this, dear
Chamisso, took place in the sun: she was kneeling two steps from
me, and I, without a shadow, could not dart through the air, nor
fall on my knees before the angelic being. Oh, what would I not now
have given for a shadow! To conceal my shame, agony, and despair, I
buried myself in the recesses of the carriage. Bendel at last
thought of an expedient; he jumped out of the carriage. I called
him back, and gave him out of the casket I had by me a rich diamond
coronet, which had been intended for the lovely Fanny.
He stepped forward, and spoke in the name of his master, who, he
said, was overwhelmed by so many demonstrations of respect, which he
really could not accept as an honour--there must be some error;
nevertheless he begged to express his thanks for the goodwill of the
worthy townspeople. In the meantime Bendel had taken the wreath
from the cushion, and laid the brilliant crown in its place. He
then respectfully raised the lovely girl from the ground; and, at
one sign, the clergy, magistrates, and all the deputations withdrew.
The crowd separated to allow the horses to pass, and we pursued our
way to the town at full gallop, through arches ornamented with
flowers and branches of laurel. Salvos of artillery again were
heard. The carriage stopped at my gate; I hastened through the
crowd which curiosity had attracted to witness my arrival.
Enthusiastic shouts resounded under my windows, from whence I
showered gold amidst the people; and in the evening the whole town
was illuminated. Still all remained a mystery to me, and I could
not imagine for whom I had been taken. I sent Rascal out to make
inquiry; and he soon obtained intelligence that the good King of
Prussia was travelling through the country under the name of some
count; that my aide-de-camp had been recognised, and that he had
divulged the secret; that on acquiring the certainty that I would
enter their town, their joy had known no bounds: however, as they
perceived I was determined on preserving the strictest incognito,
they felt how wrong they had been in too importunately seeking to
withdraw the veil; but I had received them so condescendingly and so
graciously, that they were sure I would forgive them. The whole
affair was such capital amusement to the unprincipled Rascal, that
he did his best to confirm the good people in their belief, while
affecting to reprove them. He gave me a very comical account of the
matter; and, seeing that I was amused by it, actually endeavoured to
make a merit of his impudence.
Shall I own the truth? My vanity was flattered by having been
mistaken for our revered sovereign. I ordered a banquet to be got
ready for the following evening, under the trees before my house,
and invited the whole town. The mysterious power of my purse,
Bendel's exertions, and Rascal's ready invention, made the shortness
of the time seem as nothing.
It was really astonishing how magnificently and beautifully
everything was arranged in these few hours. Splendour and abundance
vied with each other, and the lights were so carefully arranged that
I felt quite safe: the zeal of my servants met every exigency and
merited all praise.
Evening drew on, the guests arrived, and were presented to me. The
word MAJESTY was now dropped; but, with the deepest respect and
humility, I was addressed as the COUNT. What could I do? I
accepted the title, and from that moment I was known as Count Peter.
In the midst of all this festivity my soul pined for one individual.
She came late--she who was the empress of the scene, and wore the
emblem of sovereignty on her brow.
She modestly accompanied her parents, and seemed unconscious of her
transcendent beauty.
The Ranger of the Forests, his wife, and daughter, were presented to
me. I was at no loss to make myself agreeable to the parents; but
before the daughter I stood like a well-scolded schoolboy, incapable
of speaking a single word.
At length I hesitatingly entreated her to honour my banquet by
presiding at it--an office for which her rare endowments pointed her
out as admirably fitted. With a blush and an expressive glance she
entreated to be excused; but, in still greater confusion than
herself, I respectfully begged her to accept the homage of the first
and most devoted of her subjects, and one glance of the count was
the same as a command to the guests, who all vied with each other in
acting up to the spirit of the noble host.
In her person majesty, innocence, and grace, in union with beauty,
presided over this joyous banquet. Minna's happy parents were
elated by the honours conferred upon their child. As for me, I
abandoned myself to all the intoxication of delight: I sent for all
the jewels, pearls, and precious stones still left to me--the
produce of my fatal wealth--and, filling two vases, I placed them on
the table, in the name of the Queen of the banquet, to be divided
among her companions and the remainder of the ladies.
I ordered gold in the meantime to be showered down without ceasing
among the happy multitude.
Next morning Bendel told me in confidence that the suspicions he had
long entertained of Rascal's honesty were now reduced to a
certainty; he had yesterday embezzled many bags of gold.
"Never mind," said I; "let him enjoy his paltry booty. I like to
spend it; why should not he? Yesterday he, and all the newly-
engaged servants whom you had hired, served me honourably, and
cheerfully assisted me to enjoy the banquet."
No more was said on the subject. Rascal remained at the head of my
domestics. Bendel was my friend and confidant; he had by this time
become accustomed to look upon my wealth as inexhaustible, without
seeking to inquire into its source. He entered into all my schemes,
and effectually assisted me in devising methods of spending my
money.
Of the pale, sneaking scoundrel--the unknown--Bendel only knew thus
much, that he alone had power to release me from the curse which
weighed so heavily on me, and yet that I stood in awe of him on whom
all my hopes rested. Besides, I felt convinced that he had the
means of discovering ME under any circumstances, while he himself
remained concealed. I therefore abandoned my fruitless inquiries,
and patiently awaited the appointed day.
The magnificence of my banquet, and my deportment on the occasion,
had but strengthened the credulous townspeople in their previous
belief.
It appeared soon after, from accounts in the newspapers, that the
whole history of the King of Prussia's fictitious journey originated
in mere idle report. But a king I was, and a king I must remain by
all means; and one of the richest and most royal, although people
were at a loss to know where my territories lay.
The world has never had reason to lament the scarcity of monarchs,
particularly in these days; and the good people, who had never yet
seen a king, now fancied me to be first one, and then another, with
equal success; and in the meanwhile I remained as before, Count
Peter.
Among the visitors at this watering-place a merchant made his
appearance, one who had become a bankrupt in order to enrich
himself. He enjoyed the general good opinion; for he projected a
shadow of respectable size, though of somewhat faint hue.
This man wished to show off in this place by means of his wealth,
and sought to rival me. My purse soon enabled me to leave the poor
devil far behind. To save his credit he became bankrupt again, and
fled beyond the mountains; and thus I was rid of him. Many a one in
this place was reduced to beggary and ruin through my means.
In the midst of the really princely magnificence and profusion,
which carried all before me, my own style of living was very simple
and retired. I had made it a point to observe the strictest
precaution; and, with the exception of Bendel, no one was permitted,
on any pretence whatever, to enter my private apartment. As long as
the sun shone I remained shut up with him; and the Count was then
said to be deeply occupied in his closet. The numerous couriers,
whom I kept in constant attendance about matters of no importance,
were supposed to be the bearers of my despatches. I only received
company in the evening under the trees of my garden, or in my
saloons, after Bendel's assurance of their being carefully and
brilliantly lit up.
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