ne thing from another by wearisome reckoning; the
wanderer of the second perceives the nature of everything and
occurrence directly by their very essence, views all things in their
continually varying connexions, and can easily compare one with
another, like figures on a slate. You will pardon me, that I address
you, as it were, from my childish dreams; nothing could have emboldened
me to speak but my confidence in your kindness, and the remembrance of
my teacher, who for a long time has pointed the second way out to me as
his own."

"We willingly grant you," said the kind merchants, "that we are not
able to follow your train of thought; yet it pleases us that you so
warmly remember your excellent teacher, and treasure up so well his
lessons. It seems to us that you have a talent for poetry, you speak
your fancies out so fluently, and you are so full of choice expressions
and apt comparisons. You are also inclined to the wonderful,--the
poet's element."

"I do not know whence it comes," said Henry; "I have heard poets spoken
of before now; but have never yet seen one. I cannot even form an idea
of their curious art; but yet have a great desire to hear about it. I
feel that I wish to know many things, of which dark hints only are in
my mind. I have often heard people speak of poems, but I have never yet
seen one, and my teacher never had occasion to learn the art. Nor have
I been able to comprehend everything that he has told me concerning it.
Yet he always considered it a noble art, to which I would devote myself
entirely, if I should become acquainted with it. In old times it was
much more common than now, and every one had some knowledge of it,
though in different degrees; moreover it was the sister of other arts
now lost. He thought that divine favor had highly honored the
minstrels, so that inspired by spiritual intercourse, they had been
able to proclaim heavenly wisdom upon earth in entrancing tones."

The merchants then said; "We have in truth not troubled ourselves much
with the secrets of the poets, though we have often listened with
pleasure to their songs. Perhaps it is true that no man is a poet,
unless he is born under a particular star, for there is something
curious in this respect about this art. The other arts are very
different from it, and much easier to comprehend. The secrets of
painters and musicians can much more easily be imagined; and both can
be learned with industry and patience. The sound