t. Among other occurrences, it once happened
that one of this peculiar class of poets or musicians,--although music
and poetry may be considered as pretty much the same thing, like mouth
and ear, of which the first is only a movable and answering ear,--that
once this poet wished to cross the sea to a foreign land. He had with
him many jewels and costly articles, which he had received as tributes
of gratitude. He found a ship ready to sail, and easily agreed upon a
price for his passage. But the splendor and beauty of his treasures so
excited the avarice of the sailors, that they resolved among themselves
to take him, throw him overboard, and afterwards to divide his goods
with each other. Accordingly, when they were far from land, they fell
upon him, and told him that he must die, because they had resolved to
cast him into the sea. He begged them to spare his life in the most
touching terms, offered them his treasures as a ransom, and prophesied
that great misfortunes would overtake them, should they take his life.
But they were not to be moved, being fearful lest he should sometime
reveal their wickedness. When he saw at last that their resolution was
taken, he prayed them that at least they would suffer him to play his
swan song, after which he would willingly plunge into the sea, with his
poor, wooden instrument, before their eyes. They knew very well that,
should they once hear his magic song, their hearts would be softened
and overwhelmed with repentance; therefore they granted his last
request indeed, but stopped their ears, that not hearing his song, they
might abide by their resolution. Thus it happened. The minstrel began a
beautiful song, pathetic beyond conception. The whole ship accorded,
the waters resounded, the sun and the stars appeared at once in the
sky, and the inhabitants of the deep issued from the green flood about
them, in dancing hosts. The people of the ship stood alone by
themselves, with hostile intent waiting impatiently for the end of his
song. It was soon finished. Then the minstrel plunged with serene brow
down the dark abyss, carrying with him his wonder-working instrument.
Scarcely had he touched the glittering wave, when a monster of the deep
rose up beneath him, and quickly bore the astonished minstrel away. It
swam directly to the shore whither he had been journeying, and landed
him gently among the rushes. The poet sang a song of gratitude to his
saviour, and joyfully went his way. Som