NOVALIS:HEINRICH VON OFTERDINGEN
20:16 Jun 03 2010
Times Read: 507
(The novel is set in the 13th century, but the environment isn't authentic, there are ulterior objects and accessories, and these anachronisms make the story timeless. You can read below the plot of the beginning of the novel. It is mentioned a stranger, who visited Heinrich's family the night before, and talked about a blue flower. It is supposed to be an old legend of the blue flower, which blooms on Saint John's night, and who tears it down, finds a treasure, but only with the help of a leader.)
The patents had already retired to rest; the old clock ticked monotonously from the wall; the windows rattled with the whistling wind, and the chamber was dimly lighted by the flickering glimmer of the moon. The young man lay restless on his bed, thinking of the stranger and his tales. "It is not the treasures," said he to himself, "that have awakened in me such unutterable longings. Far from me is all avarice; but I long to behold the blue flower. It is constantly in my mind, and I can think and compose of nothing else. I have never been in such a mood. It seems as if I had hitherto been dreaming, or slumbering into another world; for in the world, in which hitherto I have lived, who would trouble himself about a flower?--I never have heard of such a strange passion for a flower here. […] I have heard, that in ancient times beasts, and trees, and rocks conversed with men. As I gaze upon them, they appear every moment about to speak to me; and I can almost tell by their looks what they would say. There must yet be many words unknown to me. If I knew more, I could comprehend better. Formerly I loved to dance, now I think rather to the music." The young man gradually lost himself in his sweet fancies, and feel asleep. Then he dreamed of regions far distant, and unknown to him. He crossed the sea with wonderful ease; saw many strange monsters; lived with all sorts of men, now in war, now in wild tumult, and now in peaceful cottages. Then he fell into captivity and degrading want. His feelings had never been so excited. His life was an unending tissue, of the brightest colors. Then came death, a return again to life; he loved, loved intensely, and was separated from the object of his passion. […]
He dreamed that he was sitting on the soft turf by the margin of a fountain, whose waters flowed into the air, and seemed to vanish in it. Dark blue rocks with various colored veins rose in the distance. The daylight around him was milder and clearer than usual; the sky was of a sombre blue, and free from clouds. But what most attracted his notice, was a tall, light-blue flower, which stood nearest the fountain, and touched it with its broad, glossy leaves. Around it grew numberless flowers of varied hue, filling the air with the richest perfume. But he saw the blue flower alone, and gazed long upon it with inexpressible tenderness. He at length was about to approach it, when it began to move, and change its form. The leaves increased their beauty, adorning the growing stem. The flower bended towards him, and revealed among its leaves a blue, outspread collar, within which hovered a tender face. His delightful astonishment was increasing with this singular change, when suddenly his mother's voice awoke him, and he found himself in his parents' room, already gilded by the morning sun. He was too happy to be angry at the sudden disturbance of his sleep. He bade his mother a kind good morning, and returned her hearty embrace.
MY CONTINUATION
He was full with joy all day long, thinking ceaselessly on the blue flower.At the evening he shut his windows impatiently and he lied himself with panting heart in the cold bed. But the sleep didn't want to come. „I wish I could see her tonight – reflected –„I feel I can understand her.” He closed his eyes and tried to recall the wild scenery, the oceans, trees,which lead him to the blue flower. The dream came on tiptoe, unawares; the young man soon was standing between the huge trees, which leaned liberally on him,staring, like old scholars stare at the arduous work of their life. Seas decoupled under his feet, enormous animals venerated him, he met people with weapons, empty purses, lash,or warm meal ,with children or wreaths. The young man was watching stock-still the voluble images,but he saw only the approaching blue flower. In a few seconds he felt flossy grass under his feet, and he heard the swash of the fountain. Everything was covered with colorful flower carpet, small butterflies were playing in the narcotic scent.Near the fountain he saw a stone laced with moss, and there she was, the blue flower, with all her beauty. The petals surrounded protectively the charming face, her leaves, like humble slaves, bent to the ground, leaving free her graceful shaft. Heinrich approached enchanted, leaned towards her, and touched softly the fairy face. He had suddenly remembered the tale of the stranger about the treasure and his hand slid unwittingly to her shaft. The leaves started to close, capturing Heinrich's hand. Their grab became stronger and stronger and the young man jerked back his hand. The flower uttered a dire scream, furled her petals and fell languidly on Heinrich's hand. He stood numbly in the sparkling sunshine, holding the dead flower. The bluster of the fountain started to suppress, the water dwindled constantly, until there was only a sick trickle. The flowers hid their petals, and, as the bugs preparing for the winter, they went under the leaves. The butterflies vaporized in the wind, the grass grew old, and the shining sun was mantled by a thick cloud. Heinrich looked around startled, his feet had started off,taking him faster and faster through the unknown, towards a bald scenery,when his eyes sprang open. He perceived calmly, that he is lying in his own bed, and all this was only a nightmare. Still he felt a terrible remorse. „You're a killer, Heinrich!” – a voice told him. He was uneasy all day, especially when the night was getting close. The dream escaped him again, but instead of happiness he felt now dark apprehension. „I have made a mistake – admitted in himself – I was too curious. I should have known that touching such a fragile queen is forbidden to me. The cruel curiosity is the source of all my fears.That fake admiration!” He slowly fell asleep. The vision came again, uninvited, as a ghost. Trees swept away, seas wuthered, animals bolted, than humans too and he arrived to the meadow of the blue flower. Everything was dark and sad. It was raining, and the flowers floated dead on the water. The fountain was a wild mud river, with huge ice blocks on its surface. Heinrich paddled slowly in the dross through the stone covered with moss.When he got closer, he saw on the stone a tiny blue gem, the gentle face of the blue flower. He knelt down beside the stone and dug with his hands a small pit for the jewel. He covered it narrowly, sat beside it, and waited.
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