water. But even monstrous forms like this only impelled him to cross
over toward them, when the thought rushed upon him that Undine might
be there alone and in the agony of death.

He had already grasped a strong branch of a pine, and stood
supporting himself upon it in the whirling current, against which he
could with difficulty keep himself erect; but he advanced deeper in
with a courageous spirit. That instant a gentle voice of warning
cried near him, "Do not venture, do not venture!--that OLD MAN, the
STREAM, is too full of tricks to be trusted!" He knew the soft tones
of the voice; and while he stood as it were entranced beneath the
shadows which had now duskily veiled the moon, his head swam with the
swelling and rolling of the waves as he saw them momentarily rising
above his knee. Still he disdained the thought of giving up his
purpose.

"If you are not really there, if you are merely gambolling round me
like a mist, may I, too, bid farewell to life, and become a shadow
like you, dear, dear Undine!" Thus calling aloud, he again moved
deeper into the stream. "Look round you--ah, pray look round you,
beautiful young stranger! why rush on death so madly?" cried the
voice a second time close by him; and looking on one side he
perceived, by the light of the moon, again cloudless, a little island
formed by the flood; and crouching upon its flowery turf, beneath the
branches of embowering trees, he saw the smiling and lovely Undine.

O how much more gladly than before the young man now plied his sturdy
staff! A few steps, and he had crossed the flood that was rushing
between himself and the maiden; and he stood near her on the little
spot of greensward in security, protected by the old trees. Undine