CHAPTER V.



I was now left equally without gold and without shadow; but a heavy
load was taken from my breast, and I felt cheerful. Had not my
Minna been irrecoverably lost to me, or even had I been perfectly
free from self-reproach on her account, I felt that happiness might
yet have been mine. At present I was lost in doubt as to my future
course. I examined my pockets, and found I had a few gold pieces
still left, which I counted with feelings of great satisfaction. I
had left my horse at the inn, and was ashamed to return, or at all
events I must wait till the sun had set, which at present was high
in the heavens. I laid myself down under a shady tree and fell into
a peaceful sleep.

Lovely forms floated in airy measures before me, and filled up my
delightful dreams. Minna, with a garland of flowers entwined in her
hair, was bending over me with a smile of goodwill; also the worthy
Bendel was crowned with flowers, and hastened to meet me with
friendly greetings. Many other forms seemed to rise up confusedly
in the distance: thyself among the number, Chamisso. Perfect
radiance beamed around them, but none had a shadow; and what was
more surprising, there was no appearance of unhappiness on this
account. Nothing was to be seen or heard but flowers and music; and
love and joy, and groves of never-fading palms, seemed the natives
of that happy clime.

In vain I tried to detain and comprehend the lovely but fleeting