5.11.

2015

TheSandman

TheSandman
E.T.A.Hoffmann

NATHANELTOLOTHAIRE
CertainlyyoumustallbeuneasythatIhavenotwrittenforsolongsovery
long.Mymother,amsure,isangry,andClarawillbelievethatIampassingmy
timeindissipation,entirelyforgetfulofherfair,angelicimagethatissodeeply
imprintedonmyheart.Such,however,isnotthecase.DailyandhourlyIthink
ofyouallandthedearformofmylovelyClarapassesbeforemeinmy
dreams,smilinguponmewithherbrighteyesasshedidwhenIwasamong
you.ButhowcanIwritetoyouinthedistractedmoodwhichhasbeen
disturbingmyeverythought!Ahorriblethinghascrossedmypath.Dark
forebodingsofacruel,threateningfatetowerovermelikedarkclouds,which
nofriendlysunbeamcanpenetrate.Iwillnowtellyouwhathasoccurred.I
mustdosothatIplainlyseethemerethoughtofitsetsmelaughinglikea
madman.Ah,mydearLothaire,howshallIbegin?HowshallImakeyouin
anywayrealizethatwhathappenedtomeafewdaysagocanreallyhavehad
suchafataleffectonmylife?Ifyouwerehereyoucouldseeforyourselfbut,
asitis,youwillcertainlytakemeforacrazyfellowwhoseesghosts.Tobe
brief,thishorribleoccurrence,thepainfulimpressionofwhichIaminvain
endeavoringtothrowoff,isnothingmorethanthisthatsomedaysago,
namelyonthe30thofOctoberattwelveo'clocknoon,abarometerdealercame
intomyroomandofferedmehiswares.Iboughtnothing,andthreatenedto
throwhimdownstairs,uponwhichhetookhimselfoffofhisownaccord.
Onlycircumstancesofthemostpeculiarkind,youwillsuspect,andexerting
thegreatestinfluenceovermylife,canhavegivenanyimporttothis
occurrence.Moreover,thepersonofthatunluckydealermusthavehadanevil
effectuponme.Soitwas,indeed.Imustuseeveryendeavortocollectmyself,
andpatientlyandquietlytellyousomuchofmyearlyyouthaswillbringthe
pictureplainlyandclearlybeforeyoureyes.AsIamabouttobegin,Ifancy
thatIhearyoulaughing,andClaraexclaiming,'Childishstoriesindeed!'Laugh
atme,Ibegofyou,laughwithallyourheart.But,ohGod!myhairstandson
end,anditisinmaddespairthatIseemtobeinvitingyourlaughter,asFranz
MoordidDaniel'sinSchiller'splay.Buttomystory.
ExceptingatdinnertimeIandmybrothersandsistersusedtoseemyfather
verylittleduringtheday.Hewas,perhaps,busilyengagedathisordinary
profession.Aftersupper,whichwasservedaccordingtotheoldcustomat
seveno'clock,weallwentwithmymotherintomyfather'sstudy,andseated
ourselvesattheroundtable,wherehewouldsmokeanddrinkhislargeglassof
beer.Oftenhetolduswonderfulstories,andgrewsowarmoverthemthathis
pipecontinuallywentout.WhereuponIhadtolightitagainwithaburning
spill,whichIthoughtgreatsport.Often,too,hewouldgiveuspicturebooks,
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andsitinhisarmchair,silentandthoughtful,puffingoutsuchthickcloudsof
smokethatweallseemedtobeswimmingintheclouds.Onsucheveningsas
thesemymotherwasverymelancholy,andimmediatelytheclockstrucknine
shewouldsay:'Now,children,tobedtobed!TheSandman'scoming,Ican
see.'AndindeedoneachoccasionIusedtohearsomethingwithaheavy,slow
stepcomethuddingupthestairs.ThatIthoughtmustbetheSandman.
OncewhenthedullnoiseoffootstepswasparticularlyterrifyingIaskedmy
motherassheboreusaway:'Mamma,whoisthisnaughtySandman,who
alwaysdrivesusawayfromPapa?Whatdoeshelooklike?'
'ThereisnoSandman,dearchild,'repliedmymother.'WhenIsaythe
Sandman'scoming,Ionlymeanthatyou'resleepyandcan'tkeepyoureyes
openjustasifsanehadbeensprinkledintothem.'
Thisanswerofmymother'sdidnotsatisfymenay,thethoughtsoonripened
inmychildishmindthesheonlydeniedtheSandman'sexistencetopreventour
beingterrifiedofhim.CertainlyIalwaysheardhimcomingupthestairs.Most
curioustoknowmoreofthisSandmanandhisparticularconnectionwith
children,Iatlastaskedtheoldwomanwholookedaftermyyoungestsister
whatsortofmanhewas.
'Eh,Natty,'saidshe,'don'tyouknowthatyet?Heisawickedman,whocomes
tochildrenwhentheywon'tgotobed,andthrowsahandfulofsandintotheir
eyes,sothattheystartoutbleedingfromtheirheads.Heputstheireyesinabag
andcarriesthemtothecrescentmoontofeedhisownchildren,whositinthe
nestupthere.Theyhavecrookedbeakslikeowlssothattheycanpickupthe
eyesofnaughtyhumanchildren.'
AmostfrightfulpictureofthecruelSandmanbecameimpresseduponmy
mindsothatwhenintheeveningIheardthenoiseonthestairsItrembledwith
agonyandalarm,andmymothercouldgetnothingoutofmebutthecry,'The
Sandman,theSandman!'stutteredforththroughmytears.Ithenranintothe
bedroom,wherethefrightfulapparitionoftheSandmanterrifiedmeduringthe
wholenight.
Ihadalreadygrownoldenoughtorealizethatthenurse'staleabouthimandthe
nestofchildreninthecrescentmooncouldnotbequitetrue,butnevertheless
thisSandmanremainedafearfulspectre,andIwasseizedwiththeutmost
horrorwhenIheardhimonce,notonlycomeupthestairs,butviolentlyforce
myfather'sdooropenandgoin.Sometimeshestayedawayforalongperiod,
butafterthathisvisitscameinclosesuccession.Thislastedforyears,butI
couldnotaccustommyselftotheterriblegoblintheimageofthedreadful
Sandmandidnotbecomeanyfainter.Hisintercoursewithmyfatherbegan
moreandmoretooccupymyfancy.Yetanunconquerablefearpreventedme
fromaskingmyfatheraboutit.ButifI,Imyself,couldpenetratethemystery
andbeholdthewondrousSandmanthatwasthewishwhichgrewuponme
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withtheyears.TheSandmanhadintroducedmetothoughtsofthemarvelsand
wonderswhichsoreadilygainaholdonachild'smind.Ienjoyednothing
betterthanreadingorhearinghorriblestoriesofgoblins,witches,pigmies,etc.
butmosthorribleofallwastheSandman,whomIwasalwaysdrawingwith
chalkorcharcoalonthetables,cupboardsandwalls,intheoddestandmost
frightfulshapes.
WhenIwastenyearsoldmymotherremovedmefromthenightnurseryintoa
littlechambersituatedinacorridornearmyfather'sroom.Still,asbefore,we
wereobligedtomakeaspeedydepartureonthestrokeofnine,assoonasthe
unknownstepsoundedonthestair.FrommylittlechamberIcouldhearhowhe
enteredmyfather'sroom,andthenitwasthatIseemedtodetectathinvapor
withasingularodorspreadingthroughthehouse.Strongerandstronger,with
mycuriosity,grewmyresolutionsomehowtomaketheSandman's
acquaintance.OftenIsneakedfrommyroomtothecorridorwhenmymother
hadpassed,butnevercouldIdiscoveranythingfortheSandmanhadalways
goneinatthedoorwhenIreachedtheplacewhereImighthaveseenhim.At
last,drivenbyanirresistibleimpulse,Iresolvedtohidemyselfinmyfather's
roomandawaithisappearancethere.
Frommyfather'ssilenceandmymother'smelancholyfaceIperceivedone
eveningthattheSandmanwascoming.I,therefore,feignedgreatweariness,
lefttheroombeforenineo'clock,andhidmyselfinacornerclosetothedoor.
Thehousedoorgroanedandtheheavy,slow,creakingstepcameupthe
passageandtowardsthestairs.Mymotherpassedmewiththerestofthe
children.Softly,verysoftly,Iopenedthedoorofmyfather'sroom.Hewas
sitting,asusual,stiffendsilent,withhisbacktothedoor.Hedidnotperceive
me,andIswiftlydartedintotheroomandbehindthecurtainwhichcoveredan
opencupboardclosetothedoor,inwhichmyfather'sclotheswerehanging.
Thestepssoundednearerandnearertherewasastrangecoughingand
scrapingandmurmuringwithout.Myhearttrembledwithanxiousexpectation.
Asharpstepclose,veryclose,tothedoorthequicksnapofthelatch,andthe
dooropenedwitharattlingnoise.Screwingupmycouragetotheuttermost,I
cautiouslypeepedout.TheSandmanwasstandingbeforemyfatherinthe
middleoftheroom,thelightofthecandlesshonefulluponhisface.The
Sandman,thefearfulSandman,wastheoldadvocateCoppelius,whohadoften
dinedwithus.
Butthemosthideousformcouldnothaveinspiredmewithdeeperhorrorthan
thisveryCoppelius.Imaginealargebroadshoulderedman,withahead
disproportionatelybig,afacethecolorofyellowochre,apairofbushygrey
eyebrows,frombeneathwhichapairofgreencat'seyessparkledwiththemost
penetratingluster,andwithalargenosecurvedoverhisupperlip.Hiswry
mouthwasoftentwistedintoamaliciouslaugh,whenacoupleofdarkred
spotsappeareduponhischeeks,andastrangehissingsoundwasheardthrough
hisgrittedteeth.Coppeliusalwaysappearedinanashengraycoat,cutinold
fashionedstyle,withwaistcoatandbreechesofthesamecolor,whilehis
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stockingswereblack,andhisshoesadornedwithagatebuckles.
Hislittleperukescarcelyreachedfartherthanthecrownofhishead,hiscurls
stoodhighabovehislargeredears,andabroadhairbagprojectedstifflyfrom
hisneck,sothatthesilverclaspwhichfastenedhisfoldedcravatmightbe
plainlyseen.Hiswholefigurewashideousandrepulsive,butmostdisgusting
touschildrenwerehiscoarsebrownhairyfists.Indeedwedidnotliketoeat
anythinghehadtouchedwiththem.Thishehadnoticed,anditwashisdelight,
undersomepretextorother,totouchapieceofcakeorsomenicefruit,thatour
kindmothermightquietlyhaveputonourplates,justforthepleasureofseeing
usturnawaywithtearsinoureyes,indisgustandabhorrence,nolongerableto
enjoythetreatintendedforus.Heactedinthesamemanneronholidays,when
myfathergaveusalittleglassofsweetwine.Thenwouldheswiftlyputhis
handoverit,orperhapsevenraisetheglasstohisbluelips,laughingmost
devilishly,andwecouldonlyexpressourindignationbysilentsobs.Healways
calledusthelittlebeastswedarednotutterasoundwhenhewaspresent,end
weheartilycursedtheugly,unkindmanwhodeliberatelymarredourslightest
pleasures.MymotherseemedtohatetherepulsiveCoppeliusasmuchaswe
did,sinceassoonasheshowedhimselfherliveliness,heropenandcheerful
nature,werechangedforagloomysolemnity.Myfatherbehavedtowardshim
asthoughhewereasuperiorbeing,whosebadmannersweretobetolerated
andwhowastobekeptingoodhumoratanycost.Heneedonlygivethe
slightesthint,andfavoritedisheswerecooked,thechoicestwinesserved.
WhenInowsawthisCoppelius,thefrightfulandterrificthoughttook
possessionofmysoul,thatindeednoonebuthecouldbetheSandman.Butthe
Sandmanwasnolongerthebogyofanurse'stale,whoprovidedtheowl'snest
inthecrescentmoonwithchildren'seyes.No,hewasahideous,spectral
monster,whobroughtwithhimgrief,miseryanddestructiontemporaland
eternalwhereverheappeared.
Iwasrivetedtothespot,asifenchanted.Attheriskofbeingdiscoveredand,as
Iplainlyforesaw,ofbeingseverelypunished,Iremainedwithmyheadpeeping
throughthecurtain.MyfatherreceivedCoppeliuswithsolemnity.
'Nowtoourwork!'criedthelatterinaharsh,gratingvoice,asheflungoffhis
coat.
Myfathersilentlyandgloomilydrewoffhisdressinggown,andbothattired
themselvesinlongblackfrocks.WhencetheytooktheseIdidnotsee.My
fatheropenedthedoorofwhatIhadalwaysthoughttobeacupboard.ButI
nowsawthatitwasnocupboard,butratherablackcavityinwhichtherewasa
littlefireplace.Coppeliuswenttoit,andablueflamebegantocrackleupon
thehearth.Allsortsofstrangeutensilslayaround.Heavens!Asmyoldfather
stoopeddowntothefire,helookedquiteanotherman.Someconvulsivepain
seemedtohavedistortedhismildfeaturesintoarepulsive,diabolical
countenance.HelookedlikeCoppelius,whomIsawbrandishingredhottongs,
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whichheusedtotakeglowingmassesoutofthethicksmokewhichobjectshe
afterwardshammered.Iseemedtocatchaglimpseofhumanfaceslyingaround
withoutanyeyesbutwithdeepholesinstead.
'Eyeshere'eyes!'roaredCoppeliustonelessly.Overcomebythewildestterror,I
shriekedoutandfellfrommyhidingplaceuponthefloor.Coppeliusseizedme
and,baringhisteeth,bleatedout,'Ahlittlewretchlittlewretch!'Thenhe
draggedmeupandflungmeonthehearth,wherethefirebegantosingemy
hair.'Nowwehaveeyesenoughaprettypairofchild'seyes,'hewhispered,
and,takingsomeredhotgrainsoutoftheflameswithhisbarehands,hewas
abouttosprinkletheminmyeyes.
Myfatheruponthisraisedhishandsinsupplication,crying:'Master,master,
leavemyNathanielhiseyes!'
WhereuponCoppeliusansweredwithashrilllaugh:'Well,lettheladhavehis
eyesanddohisshareoftheworld'scrying,butwewillexaminethemechanism
ofhishandsandfeet.'
Andthenheseizedmesoroughlythatmyjointscracked,andscrewedoffmy
handsandfeet,afterwardsputtingthembackagain,oneaftertheother.'There's
somethingwronghere,'hemumbled.'Butnowit'sasgoodasever.Theoldman
hascaughttheidea!'hissedandlispedCoppelius.Butallaroundmebecame
black,asuddencrampdartedthroughmybonesandnervesandIlost
consciousness.AgentlewarmbreathpassedovermyfaceIwokeasfromthe
sleepofdeath.Mymotherhadbeenstoopingoverme.
'IstheSandmanstillthere?'Istammered.
'No,no,mydearchild,hehasgoneawaylongagohewon'thurtyou!'saidmy
mother,kissingherdarling,asheregainedhissenses.
WhyshouldIwearyyou,mydearLothaire,withdiffusedetails,whenIhaveso
muchmoretotell?SufficeittosaythatIhadbeendiscoveredeavesdropping
andillusedbyCoppelius.Agonyandterrorhadbroughtondeliriumandfever,
fromwhichIlaysickforseveralweeks.
'IstheSandmanstillthere?'Thatwasmyfirstsensiblewordandthesignofmy
amendmentmyrecovery.Ihaveonlytotellyounowofthismostfrightful
momentinallmyyouth,andyouwillbeconvincedthatitisnofaultofmy
eyesthateverythingseemscolorlesstome.Youwill,indeed,knowthatadark
fatalityhashungovermylifeagloomyveilofclouds,whichIshallperhaps
onlytearawayindeath.
Coppeliuswasnomoretobeseenitwassaidhehadleftthetown.
Aboutayearmighthaveelapsed,andweweresitting,asofold,attheround
table.Myfatherwasverycheerful,andwasentertaininguswithstoriesabout
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histravelsinhisyouthwhen,astheclockstrucknine,weheardthehousedoor
groanonitshinges,andslowsteps,heavyaslead,creakedthroughthepassage
andupthestairs.
'ThatisCoppelius,'saidmymother,turningpale.
'Yes!thatisCoppelius''repeatedmyfatherinafaint,brokenvoice.Thetears
startedtomymother'seyes.
'Butfatherfather!'shecried,'mustitbeso?'
'Heiscomingforthelasttime,Ipromiseyou,'wastheanswer.'Onlygonow,
gowiththechildrengogotobed.Goodnight!'
IfeltasifIwereturnedtocold,heavystonemybreathstopped.Mymother
caughtmebythearmasIstoodimmovable.'Come,come,Nathaniel!'I
allowedmyselftobeled,andenteredmychamber!'Bequietbequietgoto
bedgotosleep!'criedmymotheraftermebuttormentedbyrestlessnessand
aninwardanguishperfectlyindescribable,Icouldnotclosemyeyes.
Thehateful,abominableCoppeliusstoodbeforemewithfieryeyes,and
laughedmaliciouslyatme.ItwasinvainthatIendeavoredtogetridofhis
image.Aboutmidnighttherewasafrightfulnoise,likethefiringofagun.The
wholehouseresounded.Therewasarattlingandrustlingbymydoor,andthe
housedoorwasclosedwithaviolentbang.
'ThatisCoppelius!'Icried,springingoutofbedinterror.
Thentherewasashriek,asofacute,inconsolablegrief.Idartedintomyfather's
roomthedoorwasopen,asuffocatingsmokerolledtowardsme,andthe
servantgirlcried:'Ah,mymaster,mymaster!'Onthefloorofthesmoking
hearthlaymyfatherdead,withhisfaceburned,blackenedandhideously
distortedmysisterswereshriekingandmoaningaroundhimandmymother
hadfainted.
'Coppelius!curseddevil!Youhaveslainmyfather!'Icried,andlostmy
senses.
When,twodaysafterwards,myfatherwaslaidinhiscoffin,hisfeatureswere
againasmildandgentleastheyhadbeeninhislife.Mysoulwascomfortedby
thethoughtthathiscompactwiththesatanicCoppeliuscouldnothaveplunged
himintoeternalperdition.
Theexplosionhadawakenedtheneighbors,theoccurrencehadbecome
commontalk,andhadreachedtheearsofthemagistracy,whowishedtomake
Coppeliusanswerable.Hehad,however,vanishedfromthespot,without
leavingatrace.
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IfItellyou,mydearfriend,thatthebarometerdealerwastheaccursed
Coppeliushimself,youwillnotblamemeforregardingsounpropitiousa
phenomenonastheomenofsomedirecalamity.Hewasdresseddifferently,
butthefigureandfeaturesofCoppeliusaretoodeeplyimprintedinmymind
foranerrorinthisrespecttobepossible.Besides,Coppeliushasnoteven
alteredhisname.Hedescribeshimself,Iamtold,asaPiedmonteseoptician,
andcallshimselfGiuseppeCoppola.
Iamdeterminedtodealwithhim,andtoavengemyfather'sdeath,betheissue
whatitmay.
Tellmymothernothingofthehideousmonster'sappearance.Remembermeto
mydearsweetClara,towhomIwillwriteinacalmermood.Farewell.
CLARATONATHANIEL
Itistruethatyouhavenotwrittentomeforalongtimebut,nevertheless,I
believethatIamstillinyourmindandthoughts.Forassuredlyyouwere
thinkingofmemostintentlywhen,designingtosendyourlastlettertomy
brotherLothaire,youdirectedittomeinsteadoftohim.Ijoyfullyopenedthe
letter,anddidnotperceivemyerrortillIcametothewords:'Ah,mydear
Lothaire.'
NO,byrightsIshouldhavereadnofarther,butshouldhavehandedoverthe
lettertomybrother.Althoughyouhaveoften,inyourchildishteasingmood,
chargedmewithhavingsuchaquiet,womanish,steadydisposition,that,even
ifthehousewereabouttofallin,Ishouldsmoothdownawrongfoldinthe
windowcurtaininamostladylikemannerbeforeIranaway,Icanhardlytell
youhowyourlettershockedme.Icouldscarcelybreathethelightdanced
beforemyeyes.
Ah,mydearNathaniel,howcouldsuchahorriblethinghavecrossedyourpath
?Tobepartedfromyou,nevertoseeyouagainthethoughtdartedthrough
mybreastlikeaburningdagger.Ireadonandon.Yourdescriptionofthe
repulsiveCoppeliusisterrifying.Ilearnedforthefirsttimetheviolentmanner
ofyourgoodoldfather'sdeath.MybrotherLothaire,towhomIsurrenderedthe
letter,soughttocalmme,butinvain.Thefatalbarometerdealer,Giuseppe
Coppola,followedmeateverystepandIamalmostashamedtoconfessthat
hedisturbedmyhealthyandusuallypeacefulsleepwithallsortsofhorrible
visions.YetsooneventhenextdayIwasquitechangedagain.Donotbe
offended,dearestone,ifLothairetellsyouthatinspiteofyourstrangefears
thatCoppeliuswillinsomemannerinjureyou,Iaminthesamecheerfuland
unworriedmoodasever.
Imusthonestlyconfessthat,inmyopinion,alltheterriblethingsofwhichyou
speakoccurredmerelyinyourownmind,andhadlittletodowiththeactual
externalworld.OldCoppeliusmayhavebeenrepulsiveenough,buthishatred
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ofchildrenwaswhatreallycausedtheabhorrenceyouchildrenfelttowards
him.
InyourchildishmindthefrightfulSandmaninthenurse'stalewasnaturally
associatedwitholdCoppelius.Why,evenifyouhadnotbelievedinthe
Sandman,Coppeliuswouldstillhaveseemedtoyouamonster,especially
dangeroustochildren.Theawfulbusinesswhichhecarriedonatnightwith
yourfatherwasnomorethanthis:thattheyweremakingalchemical
experimentsinsecret,whichmuchdistressedyourmothersince,besidesagreat
dealofmoneybeingwasted,yourfather'smindwasfilledwithafallacious
desireafterhigherwisdom,andsoalienatedfromhisfamilyastheysayis
alwaysthecasewithsuchexperimentalists.Yourfather,nodoubt,occasioned
hisowndeath,bysomeactofcarelessnessofwhichCoppeliuswascompletely
guiltless.LetmetellyouthatIyesterdayaskedourneighbor,theapothecary,
whethersuchasuddenandfatalexplosionwaspossibleinthesechemical
experiments?
'Certainly,'herepliedand,afterhisfashion,toldmeatgreatlengthandvery
circumstantiallyhowsuchaneventmighttakeplace,utteringanumberof
strangesoundingnameswhichIamunabletorecollect.Now,Iknowyouwill
beangrywithyourClarayouwillsaythathercoldnatureisimpervioustoany
rayofthemysterious,whichoftenembracesmanwithinvisiblearmsthatshe
onlyseesthevariegatedsurfaceoftheworld,andisasdelightedasasillychild
atsomeglitteringgoldenfruit,whichcontainswithinitadeadlypoison.
Ah!mydearNathaniel!Canyounotthenbelievethateveninopen,cheerful,
carelessmindsmaydwellthesuspicionofsomedreadpowerwhichendeavors
todestroyusinourownselves?Forgiveme,ifI,asillygirl,presumeinany
mannertopresenttoyoumythoughtsonsuchaninternalstruggle.Ishallnot
findtherightwords,ofcourse,andyouwilllaughatme,notbecausemy
thoughtsarefoolish,butbecauseIexpressthemsoclumsily.
Ifthereisadarkandhostilepower,layingitstreacheroustoilswithinus,by
whichitholdsusfastanddrawsusalongthepathofperilanddestruction,
whichweshouldnototherwisehavetrodif,Isaythereissuchapower,itmust
formitselfinsideusandoutofourselves,indeeditmustbecomeidenticalwith
ourselves.Foritisonlyinthisconditionthatwecanbelieveinit,andgrantit
theroomwhichitrequirestoaccomplishitssecretwork.Now,ifwehavea
mindwhichissufficientlyfirm,sufficientlystrengthenedbythejoyoflife,
alwaystorecognizethisstrangeenemyassuch,andcalmlytofollowthepath
ofourowninclinationandcalling,thenthedarkpowerwillfailinitsattemptto
gainaformthatshallbeareflectionofourselves.Lothaireaddsthatifwehave
willinglyyieldedourselvesuptothedarkpowers,theyareknownoftento
impressuponourmindsanystrange,unfamiliarshapewhichtheexternalworld
hasthrowninourwaysothatweourselveskindlethespirit,whichweinour
strangedelusionbelievetobespeakingtous.Itisthephantomofourown
selves,thecloserelationshipwithwhich,anditsdeepoperationonourmind,
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castsusintohellortransportsusintoheaven.
Yousee,dearNathaniel,howfreelyLothaireandIaregivingouropinionon
thesubjectofthedarkpowerswhichsubject,tojudgebymydifficultiesin
writingdown.itsmostimportantfeatures,appearstobeacomplicatedone.
Lothaire'slastwordsIdonotquitecomprehend.Icanonlysuspectwhathe
means,andyetIfeelasifitwereallverytrue.Getthegruesomeadvocate
Coppelius,andthebarometerdealer,GiuseppeCoppola,quiteoutofyourhead,
Ibegofyou.Beconvincedthatthesestrangefearshavenopoweroveryou,
andthatitisonlyabeliefintheirhostileinfluencethatcanmakethemhostile
inreality.Ifthegreatdisturbanceinyourminddidnotspeakfromeverylineof
yourletter,ifyoursituationdidnotgivemethedeepestpain,Icouldjokeabout
theSandmanAdvocateandthebarometerdealerCoppelius.Cheerup,Ihave
determinedtoplaythepartofyourguardianspirit.IftheuglyCoppeliustakes
itintohisheadtoannoyyouinyourdreams,I'llscarehimawaywithloudpeals
oflaughter.Iamnotabitafraidofhimnorofhisdisgustinghandsheshall
neitherspoilmysweetmeatsasanAdvocate,normyeyesasaSandman.Ever
yours,mydearNathaniel.
NATHANIELTOLOTHAIRE
Iamverysorrythatinconsequenceoftheerroroccasionedbymydistracted
stateofmind,Clarabrokeopentheletterintendedforyou,andreadit.Shehas
writtenmeaveryprofoundphilosophicalepistle,inwhichsheproves,atgreat
length,thatCoppeliusandCoppolaonlyexistinmyownmind,andare
phantomsofmyself,whichwillbedissipateddirectlyIrecognizethemassuch.
Indeed,itisquiteincrediblethatthemindwhichsooftenpeersoutofthose
bright,smiling,childisheyeswithallthecharmofadream,couldmakesuch
intelligentprofessorialdefinitions.Shecitesyouyou,itseemshavebeen
talkingaboutme.Isupposeyoureadherlogicallectures,sothatshemaylearn
toseparateandsiftallmattersacutely.Nomoreofthat,please.Besides,itis
quitecertainthatthebarometerdealer,GiuseppeCoppola,isnottheadvocate
Coppelius.Iattendthelecturesoftheprofessorofphysics,whohaslately
arrived.Hisnameisthesameasthatofthefamousnaturalphilosopher
Spalanzani,andheisofItalianorigin.HehasknownCoppolaforyearsand,
moreover,itisclearfromhisaccentthatheisreallyaPiedmontese.Coppelius
wasaGerman,butIthinknohonestone.CalmedIamnot,andthoughyouand
Claramayconsidermeagloomyvisionary,Icannotgetridoftheimpression
whichtheaccursedfaceofCoppeliusmakesuponme.IamgladthatCoppola
hasleftthetownsoSpalanzanisays.
Thisprofessorisastrangefellowalittleroundmanwithhighcheekbones,a
sharpnose,poutinglipsandlittle,piercingeyes.Yetyouwillgetabetter
notionofhimthanfromthisdescription,ifyoulookattheportraitof
Cagliostro,drawnbyChodowieckiinoneoftheBerlinannualsSpalanzani
lookslikethatexactly.Ilatelywentuphisstairs,andperceivedthatthecurtain,
whichwasgenerallydrawncompletelyoveraglassdoor,leftalittleopeningon
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oneside.Iknownotwhatcuriosityimpelledmetolookthrough.Averytall
andslenderlady,extremelywellproportionedandmostsplendidlyattired,sat
intheroombyalittletableonwhichshehadlaidherarms,herhandsbeing
foldedtogether.Shesatoppositethedoor,sothatIcouldseethewholeofher
angeliccountenance.Shedidnotappeartoseeme,andindeedtherewas
somethingfixedabouthereyesasif,Imightalmostsay,shehadnopowerof
sight.Itseemedtomethatshewassleepingwithhereyesopen.Ifeltvery
uncomfortable,andthereforeIslunkawayintothelectureroomcloseathand.
AfterwardsIlearnedthattheformIhadseenwasthatofSpalanzani'sdaughter
Olympia,whomhekeepsconfinedinaverystrangeandbarbarousmanner,so
thatnoonecanapproachher.Afterall,theremaybesomethingthematterwith
hersheishalfwittedperhaps,orsomethingofthekind.ButwhyshouldI
writeyouallthis?Icouldhaveconveyeditbetterandmorecircumstantiallyby
wordofmouth.ForIshallseeyouinafortnight.Imustagainbeholdmydear,
sweetangelicClara.Myevilmoodwillthenbedispersed,thoughImust
confessthatithasbeenstrugglingformasteryovermeeversincehersensible
butvexingletter.ThereforeIdonotwritetohertoday.Athousandgreetings,
etc.

Nothingmorestrangeandchimericalcanbeimaginedthanthefateofmypoor
friend,theyoungstudentNathaniel,whichI,graciousreader,haveundertaken
totellyou.Haveyoueverknownsomethingthathascompletelyfilledyour
heart,thoughtsandsenses,totheexclusionofeveryotherobject?Therewasa
burningfermentationwithinyouyourbloodseethedlikeamoltenglow
throughyourveins,sendingahighercolortoyourcheeks.Yourglancewas
strange,asifyouwereseekinginemptyspaceformsinvisibletoallothereyes,
andyourspeechflowedawayintodarksighs.Thenyourfriendsaskedyou:
'Whatisit,mydearsir?''Whatisthematter?'Andyouwantedtodrawthe
pictureinyourmindinallitsglowingtints,inallitslightandshade,and
laboredhardtofindwordsonlytobegin.Youthoughtthatyoushouldcrowd
togetherintheveryfirstsentenceallthosewonderful,exalted,horrible,
comical,frightfulevents,soastostrikeeveryheareratonceaswithanelectric
shock.Buteveryword,everythingthattakestheformofspeech,appearedto
youcolorless,coldanddead.Youhuntandhunt,andstutterandstammer,and
yourfriends'soberquestionsblowlikeicywinduponyourinternalfireuntilit
isalmostout.Whereasif,likeaboldpainter,youhadfirstdrawnanoutlineof
theinternalpicturewithafewdaringstrokes,youmightwithsmalltrouble
havelaidonthecolorsbrighterandbrighter,andthelivingthrongofvaried
shapeswouldhaveborneyourfriendsawaywithit.Thentheywouldhaveseen
themselves,likeyou,inthepicturethatyourmindhadbodiedforth.NowI
mustconfesstoyou,kindreader,thatnoonehasreallyaskedmeforthehistory
oftheyoungNathaniel,butyouknowwellenoughthatIbelongtothequeer
raceofauthorswho,iftheyhaveanythingintheirmindssuchasIhavejust
described,feelasifeveryonewhocomesnearthem,andthewholeworld
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besides,isinsistentlydemanding:'Whatisitthentellit,mydearfriend?'
ThuswasIforciblycompelledtotellyouofthemomentouslifeofNathaniel.
Themarveloussingularityofthestoryfilledmyentiresoul,butforthatvery
reasonandbecause,mydearreader,Ihadtomakeyouequallyinclinedto
accepttheuncanny,whichisnosmallmatter,Iwaspuzzledhowtobegin
Nathaniel'sstoryinamannerasinspiring,originalandstrikingaspossible.
'Onceuponatime,'thebeautifulbeginningofeverytale,wastootame.'Inthe
littleprovincialtownofS____lived'wassomewhatbetter,asitatleast
preparedfortheclimax.OrshouldIdartatonce,mediasinres,with"'Gotothe
devil,"criedthestudentNathanielwithrageandhorrorinhiswildlooks,when
thebarometerdealer,GiuseppeCoppola...?'Ihadindeedalreadywritten
thisdown,whenIfanciedthatIcoulddetectsomethingludicrousinthewild
looksofthestudentNathaniel,whereasthestoryisnotcomicalatall.Noform
oflanguagesuggesteditselftomymindwhichseemedtoreflecteverinthe
slightestdegreethecoloringoftheinternalpicture.IresolvedthatIwouldnot
beginitatall.
Sotake,gentlereader,thethreeletters.whichfriendLothairewasgoodenough
togiveme,asthesketchofthepicturewhichIshallendeavortocolormore
andmorebrightlyasIproceedwithmynarrative.Perhaps,likeagoodportrait
painter,Imaysucceedincatchingtheoutlineinthisway,sothatyouwill
realizeitisalikenessevenwithoutknowingtheoriginal,andfeelasifyouhad
oftenseenthepersonwithyourowncorporealeyes.Perhaps,dearreader,you
willthenbelievethatnothingisstrangerandmadderthanactuallifewhichthe
poetcanonlycatchintheformofadullreflectioninadimlypolishedmirror.
Togiveyoualltheinformationthatyouwillrequireforastart,wemust
supplementtheseletterswiththenewsthatshortlyafterthedeathofNathaniel's
father,ClaraandLothaire,thechildrenofadistantrelative,whohadlikewise
diedandleftthemorphans,weretakenbyNathaniel'smotherintoherown
home.ClaraandNathanielformedastrongattachmentforeachotherandno
oneintheworldhavinganyobjectiontomake,theywerebetrothedwhen
NathaniellefttheplacetopursuehisstudiesinG___.Andthereheis,
accordingtohislastletter,attendingthelecturesofthecelebratedprofessorof
physics,Spalanzani.
Now,Icouldproceedinmystorywithconfidence,butatthismomentClara's
picturestandssoplainlybeforemethatIcannotturnawayasindeedwas
alwaysthecasewhenshegazedatmewithoneofherlovelysmiles.Clara
couldnotbyanymeansbereckonedbeautiful,thatwastheopinionofallwho
arebytheircallingcompetentjudgesofbeauty.Architects,nevertheless,
praisedtheexactsymmetryofherframe,andpaintersconsideredherneck,
shouldersandbosomalmosttoochastelyformedbutthentheyallfellinlove
withherwondroushairandcoloring,comparinghertotheMagdalenin
Battoni'spictureatDresden.Oneofthem,amostfantasticalandsingular
fellow,comparedClara'seyestoalakebyRuysdael,inwhichthepureazureof
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acloudlesssky,thewoodandfloweryfield,thewholecheerfullifeoftherich
landscapearereflected.Poetsandcomposerswentstillfurther.'Whatisalake
whatisamirror!'saidthey.'Canwelookuponthegirlwithoutwondrous,
heavenlymusicflowingtowardsusfromherglances,topenetrateourinmost
soulsothatallthereisawakenedandstirred?Ifwedon'tsingwellthen,thereis
notmuchinus,asweshalllearnfromthedelicatesmilewhichplaysonClara's
lips,whenwepresumetopipeupbeforeherwithsomethingintendedtopass
forasong,althoughitisonlyaconfusedjumbleofnotes.'
Soitwas.Clarahadthevividfancyofacheerful,unembarrassedchildadeep,
tender,femininedispositionanacute,cleverunderstanding.Mistydreamers
hadnotachancewithhersince,thoughshedidnottalktalkingwouldhave
beenaltogetherrepugnanttohersilentnatureherbrightglanceandherfirm
ironicalsmilewouldsaytothem:'Goodfriends,howcanyouimaginethatI
shalltakeyourfleetingshadowyimagesforrealshapesimbuedwithlifeand
motion?'OnthisaccountClarawascensuredbymanyascold,unfeelingand
prosaicwhileothers,whounderstoodlifetoitscleardepths,greatlylovedthe
feeling,acute,childlikegirlbutnonesomuchasNathaniel,whoseperception
inartandsciencewasclearandstrong.Clarawasattachedtoherloverwithall
herheart,andwhenhepartedfromherthefirstcloudpassedoverherlife.With
whatdelight,therefore,didsherushintohisarmswhen,ashehadpromisedin
hislastlettertoLothaire,heactuallyreturnedtohisnativetownandenteredhis
mother'sroom!Nathaniel'sexpectationswerecompletelyfulfilledfordirectly
hesawClarahethoughtneitheroftheAdvocateCoppeliusnorofher'sensible'
letter.Allgloomyforebodingshadgone.
However,Nathanielwasquiteright,whenhewrotetohisfriendLothairethat
theformoftherepulsivebarometerdealer,Coppola,hadhadamostevileffect
onhislife.Allfelt,eveninthefirstdays,thatNathanielhadundergonea
completechangeinhiswholebeing.Hesankintoagloomyreverie,and
behavedinastrangemannerthathadneverbeenknowninhimbefore.
Everything,hiswholelife,hadbecometohimadreamandaforeboding,and
hewasalwayssayingthatman,althoughhemightthinkhimselffree,only
servedforthecruelsportofdarkpowersThesehesaiditwasvaintoresist
manmustpatientlyresignhimselftohisfate.Heevenwentsofarastosaythat
itisfoolishtothinkthatwedoanythinginartandscienceaccordingtoourown
independentwillfortheinspirationwhichaloneenablesustoproduce
anythingdoesnotproceedfromwithinourselves,butistheeffectofahigher
principlewithout.
TotheclearheadedClarathismysticismwasinthehighestdegreerepugnant,
butcontradictionappearedtobeuseless.OnlywhenNathanielprovedthat
Coppeliuswastheevilprinciple,whichhadseizedhimatthemomentwhenhe
waslisteningbehindthecurtain,andthatthisrepugnantprinciplewouldin
somehorriblemannerdisturbthehappinessoftheirlife,Claragrewvery
serious,andsaid:'Yes,Nathaniel,youareright.Coppeliusisanevil,hostile
principlehecanproduceterribleeffects,likeadiabolicalpowerthathascome
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visiblyintolifebutonlyifyouwillnotbanishhimfromyourmindand
thoughts.Solongasyoubelieveinhim,hereallyexistsandexertshis
influencehispowerliesonlyinyourbelief.'
QuiteindignantthatClaradidnotadmitthedemon'sexistenceoutsidehisown
mind,Nathanielwouldthencomeoutwithallthemysticaldoctrineofdevils
andpowersofevil.ButClarawouldbreakoffpeevishlybyintroducingsome
indifferentmatter,tothenosmallannoyanceofNathaniel.Hethoughtthatsuch
deepsecretswereclosedtocold,unreceptiveminds,withoutbeingclearly
awarethathewascountingClaraamongthesesubordinatenaturesand
thereforeheconstantlyendeavoredtoinitiateherintothemysteries.Inthe
morning,whenClarawasgettingbreakfastready,hestoodbyher,readingout
ofallsortsofmysticalbookstillshecried:'ButdearNathaniel,supposeIblame
youastheevilprinciplethathasahostileeffectuponmycoffee?Forif,to
pleaseyou,Idropeverythingandlookinyoureyeswhileyouread,mycoffee
willoverflowintothefire,andnoneofyouwillgetanybreakfast.'
Nathanielclosedthebookatonceandhurriedindignantlytohischamber.Once
hehadaremarkableforteforgraceful,livelytales,whichhewrotedown,and
towhichClaralistenedwiththegreatestdelightnowhiscreationswere
gloomy,incomprehensibleandformless,sothatalthough,outofcompassion,
Claradidnotsayso,heplainlyfelthowlittleshewasinterested.Nothingwas
moreunbearabletoClarathantediousnessherlooksandwordsexpressed
mentaldrowsinesswhichshecouldnotovercome.Nathaniel'sproductions
were,indeed,verytedious.HisindignationatClara'scold,prosaicdisposition
constantlyincreasedandClaracouldnotovercomeherdislikeofNathaniel's
dark,gloomy,boringmysticism,sothattheybecamementallymoreandmore
estrangedwithouteitherofthemperceivingit.TheshapeoftheuglyCoppelius,
asNathanielhimselfwasforcedtoconfess,wasgrowingdimmerinhisfancy,
anditoftencosthimsomepainstodrawhimwithsufficientcolorinhisstories,
wherehefiguredasthedreadbogyofillomen.
Itoccurredtohim,however,intheendtomakehisgloomyforeboding,that
Coppeliuswoulddestroyhishappiness,thesubjectofapoem.Herepresented
himselfandClaraasunitedbytruelove,butoccasionallythreatenedbyablack
hand,whichappearedtodartintotheirlives,tosnatchawaysomenewjoyjust
asitwasborn.Finally,astheywerestandingatthealtar,thehideousCoppelius
appearedandtouchedClara'slovelyeyes.TheyflashedintoNathaniel'sheart,
likebleedingsparks,scorchingandburning,asCoppeliuscaughthim,and
flunghimintoaflaming,fierycircle,whichflewroundwiththeswiftnessofa
storm,carryinghimalongwithit,amiditsroaring.Theroarislikethatofthe
hurricane,whenitfiercelylashesthefoamingwaves,whichriseup,likeblack
giantswithwhiteheads,forthefuriouscombat.Butthroughthewildtumulthe
hearsClara'svoice:'Can'tyouseemethen?Coppeliushasdeceivedyou.
Those,indeed,werenotmyeyeswhichsoburnedinyourbreasttheywere
glowingdropsofyourownheart'sblood.Ihavemyeyesstillonlylookat
them!'Nathanielreflects:'ThatisClara,andIamhersforever!'Thenitseems
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tohimasthoughthisthoughthasforciblyenteredthefierycircle,whichstands
still,whilethenoisedullyceasesinthedarkabyss.NathaniellooksintoClara's
eyes,butitisdeaththatlookskindlyuponhimfromhereyes
WhileNathanielcomposedthispoem,hewasverycalmandcollectedhe
polishedandimprovedeveryline,andhavingsubjectedhimselftothefettersof
metre,hedidnotresttillallwascorrectandmelodious.Whenatlasthehad
finishedandreadthepoemaloudtohimself,awildhorrorseizedhim.'Whose
horriblevoiceisthat?'hecriedout.Soon,however,thewholeappearedtohim
averysuccessfulwork,andhefeltthatitmustrouseClara'scoldtemperament,
althoughhedidnotclearlyconsiderwhyClarawastobeexcited,norwhat
purposeitwouldservetotormentherwithfrightfulpicturesthreateninga
horriblefate,destructivetotheirlove.Bothofthemthatistosay,Nathaniel
andClaraweresittinginhismother'slittlegarden,Claraverycheerful,
becauseNathanielhadnotteasedherwithhisdreamsandhisforebodings
duringthethreedaysinwhichhehadbeenwritinghispoem.
Hewaseventalkingcheerfully,asintheolddays,aboutpleasantmatters,
whichcausedClaratoremark:'NowforthefirsttimeIhaveyouagain!Don't
youseethatwehavedriventheuglyCoppeliusaway?'
NottillthendiditstrikeNathanielthathehadinhispocketthepoem,whichhe
hadintendedtoread.Heatoncedrewthesheetsoutandbegan,whileClara,
expectingsomethingtediousasusual,resignedherselfandbeganquietlyto
knit.Butasthedarkcloudroseeverblackerandblacker,sheletthestocking
fallandlookedhimfullintheface.Hewascarriedirresistiblyalongbyhis
poem,aninternalfiredeeplyreddenedhischeeks,tearsflowedfromhiseyes.
Atlast,whenhehadconcluded,hegroanedinastateofutterexhaustionand,
catchingClara'shand,sighedforth,asifmeltedintothemostinconsolable
grief:'OhClara!Clara!'Clarapressedhimgentlytoherbosom,andsaid
softly,butverysolemnlyandsincerely:'Nathaniel,dearestNathaniel,dothrow
thatmad,senseless,insanestuffintothefire!'
UponthisNathanielsprangupenragedand,thrustingClarafromhim,cried:
'Oh,inanimate,accursedautomaton!'
WithwhichheranoffClara,deeplyoffended,shedbittertears,andsobbed
aloud:'Ah,hehasneverlovedme,forhedoesnotunderstandme.'
LothaireenteredthearborClarawasobligedtotellhimallthathadoccurred.
Helovedhissisterwithallhissoul,andeverywordofhercomplaintfelllikea
sparkoffireintohisheart,sothattheindignationwhichhehadlongharbored
againstthevisionaryNathanielnowbrokeoutintothewildestrage.Heranto
Nathanielandreproachedhimforhissenselessconducetowardshisbeloved
sisterinhardwords,towhichtheinfuriatedNathanielretortedinthesame
style.Theappellationof'fantastical,madfool,'wasansweredbythatof
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'miserablecommonplacefellow.'Aduelwasinevitable.Theyagreedonthe
followingmorning,accordingtothelocalstudentcustom,tofightwithsharp
rapiersonthefarsideofthegarden.Silentlyandgloomilytheyslunkabout.
Clarahadoverheardtheviolentdisputeand,seeingthefencingmasterbringthe
rapiersatdawn,guessedwhatwastooccur.
Havingreachedtheplaceofcombat,LothaireandNathanielhadingloomy
silenceflungofftheircoats,andwiththelustofbattleintheirflamingeyes
wereabouttofallupononeanother,whenClararushedthroughthegarden
door,cryingaloudbetweenhersobs:'Youwildcruelmen!Strikemedown
beforeyouattackeachother.ForhowcanIliveonifmylovermurdersmy
brother,ormybrothermurdersmylover.'
Lothaireloweredhisweapon,andlookedinsilenceonthegroundbutin
Nathaniel'sheart,amidthemostpoignantsorrow,thererevivedallhislovefor
thebeautifulClara,whichhehadfeltintheprimeofhishappyyouth.The
weaponfellfromhishand,hethrewhimselfatClara'sfeet.'Canyouever
forgiveme,myonlymybelovedClara?Canyouforgiveme,mydearbrother,
Lothaire?'
Lothairewastouchedbythedeepcontritionofhisfriendallthreeembracedin
reconciliationamidathousandtears,andvowedeternalloveandfidelity.
Nathanielfeltasthoughaheavyandoppressiveburdenhadbeenrolledaway,
asthoughbyresistingthedarkpowerthatheldhimfasthehadsavedhiswhole
being,whichhadbeenthreatenedwithannihilation.Threehappydayshe
passedwithhisdearfriends,andthenwenttoG___,whereheintendedtostay
ayear,andthentoreturntohisnativetownforever.
AllthatreferredtoCoppeliuswaskeptasecretfromhismother.Foritwaswell
knownthatshecouldnotthinkofhimwithoutterrorsinceshe,aswellas
Nathaniel,heldhimguiltyofcausingherhusband'sdeath.

HowsurprisedwasNathanielwhen,proceedingtohislodging,hesawthatthe
wholehousewasburneddown,andthatonlythebarewallsstoodupamidthe
ashes.However,althoughfirehadbrokenoutinthelaboratoryofthe
apothecarywholivedonthegroundfloor,andhadthereforeconsumedthe
housefromtoptobottom,someboldactivefriendshadsucceededinentering
Nathaniel'sroomintheupperstoryintimetosavehisbooks,manuscriptsand
instruments.Theycarriedallsafeandsoundintoanotherhouse,wherethey
tookaroom,towhichNathanielmovedatonce.Hedidnotthinkitatall
remarkablethathenowlodgedoppositetoProfessorSpalanzanineitherdidit
appearsingularwhenheperceivedthathiswindowlookedstraightintothe
roomwhereOlympiaoftensatalone,sothathecouldplainlyrecognizeher
figure,althoughthefeaturesofherfacewereindistinctandconfused.Atlastit
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struckhimthatOlympiaoftenremainedforhoursinthatattitudeinwhichhe
hadonceseenherthroughtheglassdoor,sittingatalittletablewithoutany
occupation,andthatshewasplainlyenoughlookingoverathimwithan
unvaryinggaze.Hewasforcedtoconfessthathehadneverseenamorelovely
formbut,withClarainhisheart,thestiffOlympiawasperfectlyindifferentto
him.Occasionally,tobesure,hegaveatransientlookoverhistextbookatthe
beautifulstatue,butthatwasall.
HewasjustwritingtoClara,whenheheardalighttapatthedooritstoppedas
heanswered,andtherepulsivefaceofCoppolapeepedin.Nathaniel'sheart
trembledwithinhim,butrememberingwhatSpalanzanihadtoldhimabouthis
compatriotCoppola,andalsothefirmpromisehehadmadetoClarawith
respecttotheSandmanCoppelius,hefeltashamedofhischildishfearand,
collectinghimselfwithallhismight,saidassoftlyandcivillyaspossible:'Ido
notwantabarometer,mygoodfriendpraygo.'
Uponthis,Coppolaadvancedagoodwayintotheroom,hiswidemouth
distortedintoahideouslaugh,andhislittleeyesdartingfirefrombeneaththeir
longgreylashes:'Eh,ehnobarometernobarometer?'hesaidinahoarse
voice,'Ihaveprettyeyestooprettyeyes!'
'Madman!'criedNathanielinhorror.'Howcanyouhaveeyes?Eyes?'
ButCoppolahadalreadyputhisbarometerasideandplungedhishandintohis
widecoatpocket,whencehedrewlorgnettesandspectacles,whichheplaced
uponthetable.
'Theretherespectaclesonthenose,thosearemyeyesprettyeyes!'he
gabbled,drawingoutmoreandmorespectacles,untilthewholetablebeganto
glistenandsparkleinthemostextraordinarymanner.
Athousandeyesstaredandquivered,theirgazefixeduponNathanielyethe
couldnotlookawayfromthetable,whereCoppolakeptlayingdownstillmore
andmorespectacles,andallthoseflamingeyesleaptinwilderandwilder
confusion,shootingtheirbloodredlightintoNathaniel'sheart.
Atlast,overwhelmedwithhorror,heshriekedout:'Stop,stop,youterrifyme!'
andseizedCoppolabythearm,ashesearchedhispocketstobringoutstill
morespectacles,althoughthewholetablewasalreadycovered.
Coppolagentlyextricatedhimselfwithahoarserepulsivelaughandwiththe
words:'Ah,nothingforyoubuthereareprettyglasses!'collectedallthe
spectacles,packedthemaway,andfromthebreastpocketofhiscoatdrew
forthanumberoftelescopeslargeandsmall.Assoonasthespectacleswere
removedNathanielfeltquiteeasyand,thinkingofClara,perceivedthatthe
hideousphantomwasbutthecreatureofhisownmind,thatthisCoppolawas
anhonestopticianandcouldnotpossiblybetheaccurseddoubleofCoppelius.
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Moreover,inalltheglasseswhichCoppolanowplacedonthetable,therewas
nothingremarkable,oratleastnothingsouncannyasinthespectaclesandto
setmattersrightNathanielresolvedtomakeapurchase.Hetookupalittle,
veryneatlyconstructedpockettelescope,andlookedthroughthewindowtotry
it.Neverinhislifehadhemetaglasswhichbroughtobjectssoclearlyand
sharplybeforehiseyes.InvoluntarilyhelookedintoSpalanzani'sroom
Olympiawassittingasusualbeforethelittletable,withherarmslaiduponit,
andherhandsfolded.
Forthefirsttimehecouldseethewondrousbeautyintheshapeofherface
onlyhereyesseemedtohimsingularlystillanddead.Nevertheless,ashe
lookedmorekeenlythroughtheglass,itseemedtohimasifmoistmoonbeams
wererisinginOlympia'seyes.Itwasasifthepowerofseeingwerebeing
kindledforthefirsttimeherglancesflashedwithconstantlyincreasinglife.As
ifspellbound,Nathanielreclinedagainstthewindow,meditatingonthe
charmingOlympia.Ahummingandscrapingarousedhimasiffromadream.
Coppolawasstandingbehindhim:'Trezecchinithreeducats!'Hehadquite
forgottentheoptician,andquicklypaidhimwhatheasked.'Isitnotso?A
prettyglassaprettyglass?'askedCoppola,inhishoarse,repulsivevoice,and
withhismalicioussmile.
'Yesyes,'repliedNathanielpeevishly'Goodbye,friend.'
Coppolalefttheroom,butnotwithoutcastingmanystrangeglancesat
Nathaniel.Heheardhimlaughloudlyonthestairs.
'Ah,'thoughtNathaniel,'heislaughingatmebecause,nodoubt,Ihavepaid
himtoomuchforthislittleglass.'
Whilehesoftlyutteredthesewords,itseemedasifadeepandlugubrioussigh
weresoundingfearfullythroughtheroomandhisbreathwasstoppedby
inwardanguish.Heperceived,however,thatitwashimselfthathadsighed.
'Claraisright,'hesaidtohimself,'intakingmeforasenselessdreamer,butitis
puremadnessnay,morethanmadness,thatthestupidthoughtofhavingpaid
Coppolatoomuchfortheglassstillpainsmesostrangely.Icannotseethe
cause.'
HenowsatdowntofinishhislettertoClarabutaglancethroughthewindow
assuredhimthatOlympiawasstillsittingthere,andheinstantlysprangup,asif
impelledbyanirresistiblepower,seizedCoppola'sglass,andcouldnottear
himselfawayfromtheseductivesightofOlympiatillhisfriendandbrother
SigismundcalledhimtogotoProfessorSpalanzani'slecture.Thecurtainwas
drawnclosebeforethefatalroom,andhecouldseeOlympianolonger,nor
couldheuponthenextdayorthenext,althoughhescarcelyeverlefthis
windowandconstantlylookedthroughCoppola'sglass.Onthethirddaythe
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windowswerecompletelycovered.Inutterdespair,filledwithalonginganda
burningdesire,heranoutofthetowngate.Olympia'sformfloatedbeforehim
intheair,steppedforthfromthebushes,andpeepedathimwithlargebeaming
eyesfromtheclearbrook.Clara'simagehadcompletelyvanishedfromhis
mindhethoughtofnothingbutOlympia,andcomplainedaloudina
murmuringvoice:'Ah,noble,sublimestarofmylove,haveyouonlyrisen
uponmetovanishimmediately,andleavemeindarkhopelessnight?'
Ashereturnedtohislodging,however,heperceivedagreatbustlein
Spalanzani'shouse.Thedoorswerewideopen,allsortsofutensilswerebeing
carriedin,thewindowsofthefirstfloorwerebeingtakenout,maidservants
weregoingaboutsweepinganddustingwithgreathairbrooms,andcarpenters
andupholstererswereknockingandhammeringwithin.Nathanielremained
standinginthestreetinastateofperfectwonder,whenSigismundcameupto
himlaughing,andsaid:'Now,whatdoyousaytoouroldSpalanzani?'
Nathanielassuredhimthathecouldsaynothingbecauseheknewnothingabout
theprofessor,butonthecontraryperceivedwithastonishmentthemad
proceedingsinahouseotherwisesoquietandgloomy.Hethenlearntfrom
SigismundthatSpalanzaniintendedtogiveagrandpartyonthefollowingday
aconcertandballandthathalftheuniversitywasinvited.Itwasgenerally
reportedthatSpalanzani,whohadsolongkepthisdaughtermostscrupulously
fromeveryhumaneye,wouldnowletherappearforthefirsttime.
Nathanielfoundacardofinvitation,andwithheartbeatinghighwentatthe
appointedhourtotheprofessor's,wherethecoacheswerealreadyarrivingand
thelightsshininginthedecoratedrooms.Thecompanywasnumerousand
brilliant.Olympiaappeareddressedwithgreatrichnessandtaste.Her
beautifullyshapedfaceandherfigurerousedgeneraladmiration.The
somewhatstrangearchofherbackandthewasplikethinnessofherwaist
seemedtobeproducedbytootightlacing.Inherstepanddeportmenttherewas
somethingmeasuredandstiff,whichstruckmanyasunpleasant,butitwas
ascribedtotheconstraintproducedbythecompany.Theconcertbegan.
Olympiaplayedtheharpsichordwithgreatdexterity,andsangavirtuosopiece,
withavoicelikethesoundofaglassbell,clearandalmostpiercing.Nathaniel
wasquiteenrapturedhestoodinthebackrow,andcouldnotperfectly
recognizeOlympia'sfeaturesinthedazzlinglight.Therefore,quiteunnoticed,
hetookoutCoppola'sglassandlookedtowardsthefaircreature.Ah!thenhe
sawwithwhatalongingglanceshegazedtowardshim,andhoweverynoteof
hersongplainlysprangfromthatlovingglance,whosefirepenetratedhis
inmostsoul.HeraccomplishedrouladesseemedtoNathanieltheexultationofa
mindtransfiguredbylove,andwhenatlast,afterthecadence,thelongtrill
soundedshrillythroughtheroom,hefeltasifclutchedbyburningarms.He
couldrestrainhimselfnolonger,butwithmingledpainandraptureshoutedout,
'Olympia!'
Everyonelookedathim,andmanylaughed.Theorganistofthecathedralmade
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agloomierfacethanusual,andsimplysaid:'Well,well.'
Theconcerthadfinished,theballbegan.'Todancewithherwithher!'That
wastheaimofallNathaniel'sdesire,ofallhiseffortsbuthowtogaincourage
toaskher,thequeenoftheball?Neverthelesshehimselfdidnotknowhowit
happenednosoonerhadthedancingbegunthanhewasstandingcloseto
Olympia,whohadnotyetbeenaskedtodance.Scarcelyabletostammerouta
fewwords,hehadseizedherhand.Olympia'shandwasascoldasicehefelta
horribledeathlychillthrillingthroughhim.Helookedintohereyes,which
beamedbackfullofloveanddesire,andatthesametimeitseemedasthough
herpulsebegantobeatandherlife'sbloodtoflowintohercoldhand.Andin
thesoulofNathanielthejoyofloverosestillhigherheclaspedthebeautiful
Olympia,andwithherflewthroughthedance.Hethoughtthathisdancingwas
usuallycorrectastotime,butthepeculiarlysteadyrhythmwithwhichOlympia
moved,andwhichoftenputhimcompletelyout,soonshowedhimthathistime
wasmostdefective.However,hewoulddancewithnootherlady,andwould
havemurderedanyonewhoapproachedOlympiaforthepurposeofaskingher.
Butthisonlyhappenedtwice,andtohisastonishmentOlympiaremainedseated
untilthenextdance,whenhelostnotimeinmakingherriseagain.
HadhebeenabletoseeanyotherobjectbesidesthefairOlympia,allsortsof
unfortunatequarrelswouldhavebeeninevitable.Forthequiet,scarcely
suppressedlaughterwhicharoseamongtheyoungpeopleineverycornerwas
manifestlydirectedtowardsOlympia,whomtheyfollowedwithverycurious
glancesonecouldnottellwhy.Heatedbythedanceandbythewine,ofwhich
hehadfreelypartaken,Nathanielhadlaidasideallhisordinaryreserve.Hesat
byOlympiawithherhandinhisand,inahighstateofinspiration,toldherhis
passion,inwordswhichneitherhenorOlympiaunderstood.
Yetperhapsshedidforshelookedsteadfastlyintohisfaceandsighedseveral
times,'Ah,ah!'Uponthis,Nathanielsaid,'Ohsplendid,heavenlylady!Ray
fromthepromisedlandoflovedeepsoulinwhomallmybeingisreflected!'
withmuchmorestuffofthelikekind.ButOlympiamerelywentonsighing,
'Ahah!'
ProfessorSpalanzanioccasionallypassedthehappypair,andsmiledonthem
withalookofsingularsatisfaction.ToNathaniel,althoughhefeltinquite
anotherworld,itseemedsuddenlyasthoughProfessorSpalanzani'sfacewas
growingconsiderablydarker,andwhenhelookedaroundheperceived,tohis
nosmallhorror,thatthelasttwocandlesintheemptyroomhadburneddown
totheirsockets,andwerejustgoingout.Themusicanddancinghadceased
longago.
'Partingparting!'hecriedinwilddespairhekissedOlympia'shand,hebent
towardshermouth,whenhisglowinglipsweremetbylipscoldasice!Justas
whenhehadtouchedhercoldhand,hefelthimselfovercomebyhorrorthe
legendofthedeadbridedartedsuddenlythroughhismind,butOlympia
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pressedhimfast,andherlipsseemedtospringtolifeathiskiss.Professor
Spalanzanistrodethroughtheemptyhall,hisstepscausedahollowecho,and
hisfigure,roundwhichaflickeringshadowplayed,hadafearful,spectral
appearance.
'Doyouloveme,doyouloveme,Olympia?Onlyoneword!Doyouloveme?'
whisperedNathanielbutassheroseOlympiaonlysighed,'Ahah!'
'Yes,mygracious,mybeautifulstaroflove,'saidNathaniel,'youhaverisen
uponme,andyouwillshine,foreverlightingmyinmostsoul.'
'Ahah!'repliedOlympia,asshedeparted.Nathanielfollowedhertheyboth
stoodbeforetheprofessor.
'Youhavehadaveryanimatedconversationwithmydaughter,'saidhe,
smiling'So,dearHerrNathaniel,ifyouhaveanypleasureintalkingwitha
sillygirl,yourvisitsshallbewelcome.'
Nathanieldepartedwithawholeheavenbeaminginhisheart.Thenextday
Spalanzani'spartywasthegeneralsubjectofconversation.Notwithstanding
thattheprofessorhadmadeeveryefforttoappearsplendid,thewagshadall
sortsofincongruitiesandodditiestotalkabout.Theywereparticularlyhard
uponthedumb,stiffOlympiawhom,inspiteofherbeautifulexterior,they
consideredtobecompletelystupid,andtheyweredelightedtofindinher
stupiditythereasonwhySpalanzanihadkepthersolongconcealed.Nathaniel
didnothearthiswithoutsecretanger.Neverthelessheheldhispeace.'For,'
thoughthe,'isitworthwhileconvincingthesefellowsthatitistheirown
stupiditythatpreventstheirrecognizingOlympia'sdeep,noblemind?'
OnedaySigismundsaidtohim:'Bekindenough,brother,totellmehowa
sensiblefellowlikeyoucouldpossiblyloseyourheadoverthatwaxface,over
thatwoodendollupthere?'
Nathanielwasabouttoflyoutinapassion,buthequicklyrecollectedhimself
andretorted:'Tellme,Sigismund,howitisthatOlympia'sheavenlycharms
couldescapeyouractiveandintelligenteyes,whichgenerallyperceivethings
soclearly?But,forthatveryreason,Heavenbethanked,Ihavenotyouformy
rivalotherwise,oneofusmusthavefallenableedingcorpse!'
Sigismundplainlyperceivedhisfriend'scondition.Soheskillfullygavethe
conversationaturnand,afterobservingthatinloveaffairstherewasno
disputingabouttheobject,added:'Nevertheless,itisstrangethatmanyofus
thinkmuchthesameaboutOlympia.Touspraydonottakeitill,brothershe
appearssingularlystiffandsoulless.Hershapeiswellproportionedsoisher
facethatistrue!Shemightpassforbeautifulifherglancewerenotsoutterly
withoutarayoflifewithoutthepowerofvision.Herpaceisstrangely
regular,everymovementseemstodependonsomewoundupclockwork.Her
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playingandhersingingkeepthesameunpleasantlycorrectandspiritlesstime
asamusicalbox,andthesamemaybesaidofherdancing.Wefindyour
Olympiaquiteuncanny,andprefertohavenothingtodowithher.Sheseemsto
actlikealivingbeing,andyethassomestrangepeculiarityofherown.'
Nathanieldidnotcompletelyyieldtothebitterfeelingwhichthesewordsof
Sigismund'srousedinhim,butmasteredhisindignation,andmerelysaidwith
greatearnestness,'Olympiamayappearuncannytoyou,cold,prosaicman.
Onlythepoeticalmindissensitivetoitslikeinothers.Tomealonewasthe
loveinherglancesrevealed,andithaspiercedmymindandallmythought
onlyintheloveofOlympiadoIdiscovermyrealself.Itmaynotsuityouthat
shedoesnotindulgeinidlechitchatlikeothershallowminds.Sheuttersfew
words,itistrue,butthesefewwordsappearasgenuinehieroglyphicsofthe
innerworld,fullofloveanddeepknowledgeofthespirituallife,and
contemplationoftheeternalbeyond.Butyouhavenosenseforallthis,andmy
wordsarewastedonyou.'
'Godpreserveyou,brother,'saidSigismundverymildlyalmostsorrowfully.
'Butyouseemtometobeinanevilway.Youmaydependuponme,ifallno,
no,Iwillnotsayanythingfurther.'
AllofasuddenitstruckNathanielthatthecold,prosaicSigismundmeantvery
welltowardshimhethereforeshookhisprofferedhandveryheartily.
NathanielhadtotallyforgottentheveryexistenceofClara,whomhehadonce
lovedhismother,Lothaireallhadvanishedfromhismemoryhelivedonly
forOlympia,withwhomhesatforhourseveryday,utteringstrangefantastical
stuffabouthislove,aboutthesympathythatglowedtolife,abouttheaffinityof
souls,toallofwhichOlympialistenedwithgreatdevotion.Fromthevery
bottomofhisdeskhedrewoutallthathehadeverwritten.Poems,fantasies,
visions,romances,talesthisstockwasdailyincreasedbyallsortsof
extravagantsonnets,stanzasandcanzoni,andhereadthemalltirelesslyto
Olympiaforhoursonend.Neverhadheknownsuchanadmirablelistener.She
neitherembroiderednorknitted,sheneverlookedoutofthewindow,shefed
nofavoritebird,sheplayedneitherwithlapdognorpetcat,shedidnottwista
slipofpaperoranythingelseinherhand,shewasnotobligedtosuppressa
yawnbyagentleforcedcough.Inshort,shesatforhours,lookingstraightinto
herlover'seyes,withoutstirring,andherglancebecamemoreandmorelively
andanimatedOnlywhenNathanielroseatlast,andkissedherhandandherlips
didshesay,'Ah,ah!'towhichsheadded:'Goodnight,dearest.'
'Ohdeep,noblemind!'criedNathanielinhisownroom,'you,youalone,dear
one,fullyunderstandme.'
Hetrembledwithinwardrapture,whenheconsideredthewonderfulharmony
thatwasrevealedmoreandmoreeverydaybetweenhisownmindandthatof
Olympia.ForitseemedtohimasifOlympiahadspokenconcerninghimand
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hispoeticaltalentoutofthedepthsofhisownmindasifhervoicehadactually
soundedfromwithinhimself.Thatmustindeedhavebeenthecase,for
Olympianeverutteredanywordswhateverbeyondthosewhichhavealready
beenrecorded.EvenwhenNathaniel,inclearandsobermoments,asfor
instanceuponwakinginthemorning,rememberedOlympia'sutterpassivity
andherpainfullackofwords,hemerelysaid:'Wordswords!Theglanceofher
heavenlyeyespeaksmorethananylanguageherebelow.Canachildofheaven
adaptherselftothenarrowconfinesdrawnbyamiserablemundanenecessity?'
ProfessorSpalanzaniappearedhighlydelightedattheintimacybetweenhis
daughterandNathaniel.Tothelatterhegavethemostunequivocalsignsof
approbationandwhenNathanielventuredatlasttohintataunionwith
Olympia,hiswholefacesmiledasheobservedthathewouldleavehisdaughter
afreechoiceinthematter.Encouragedbythesewordsandwithburning
passioninhisheart,NathanielresolvedtoimploreOlympiaontheverynext
daytosaydirectlyandinplainwordswhatherkindglancehadtoldhimlong
agonamely,thatshelovedhim.Hesoughttheringwhichhismotherhadgiven
himatparting,togiveittoOlympiaasasymbolofhisdevotion,ofhislife
whichbuddedforthandbloomedwithheralone.Clara'slettersandLothaire's
cametohishandsduringthesearchbutheflungthemasideindifferently,
foundthering,pocketeditandhastenedovertoOlympia.Alreadyonthesteps,
inthehall,heheardastrangenoise,whichseemedtoproceedfrom
Spalanzani'sroom.Therewasastamping,aclattering,apushing,abanging
againstthedoor,intermingledwithcursesandimprecations.
Letgoletgo!Rascal!Scoundrel!BodyandsoulI'veriskeduponit!Ha,
ha,ha!That'snotwhatweagreedto!I,Imadetheeyes!Imadethe
clockwork!Stupidblockheadwithyourclockwork!Accurseddogofa
bunglingwatchmaker!ORwithyou!Devil!Stop!Pipemaker!
Infernalbeast!Stop!Getout!Letgo!'
ThesewordswereutteredbythevoicesofSpalanzaniandthehideous
Coppelius,whowereragingandwranglingtogether.Nathanielrushedin,
overcomebythemostinexpressibleanguish.
Theprofessorwasholdingafemalefigurefastbytheshoulders,theItalian
Coppolagraspeditbythefeet,andtheretheyweretuggingandpulling,this
wayandthat,contendingforthepossessionofitwiththeutmostfury.
NathanielstartedbackwithhorrorwheninthefigureherecognizedOlympia.
Boilingwiththewildestindignation,hewasabouttorescuehisbelovedfrom
theseinfuriatedmen.ButatthatmomentCoppola,whirlingroundwiththe
strengthofagiant,wrenchedthefigurefromtheprofessor'shand,andthen
dealthimatremendousblowwiththeobjectitself,whichsenthimreelingand
tumblingbackwardsoverthetable,uponwhichstoodvials,retorts,bottlesand
glasscylinders.Alltheseweredashedtoathousandshivers.NowCoppola
flungthefigureacrosshisshoulders,andwithafrightfulburstofshrilllaughter
dasheddownthestairs,sofastthatthefeetofthefigure,whichdangledinthe
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mosthideousmanner,rattledwithawoodensoundoneverystep.
NathanielstoodparalyzedhehadseenbuttooplainlythatOlympia'swaxen,
deathlypalecountenancehadnoeyes,butblackholesinsteadshewas,
indeed,alifelessdoll.Spalanzaniwaswrithingonthefloorthepiecesofglass
hadcuthishead,hisbreastandhisarms,andthebloodwasspurtingupasfrom
somanyfountains.Buthesooncollectedallhisstrength.
'Afterhimafterhimwhatareyouwaitingfor?Coppelius,Coppeliushas
robbedmeofmybestautomatonaworkoftwentyyearsbodyandsoul
riskeduponittheclockworkthespeechthewalk,minetheeyesstolen
fromyou.TheinfernalrascalafterhimfetchOlympiathereyouseethe
eyes!'
AndnowNathanielsawthatapairofeyeslayupontheground,staringathim
theseSpalanzanicaughtup,withhisunwoundedhand,andflungintohis
bosom.ThenmadnessseizedNathanielinitsburningclaws,andclutchedhis
verysoul,destroyinghiseverysenseandthought.
'Hohohoacircleoffire!offire!Spinround,circle!Merrily,merrily!Ho,
woodendollspinround,prettydoll!'hecried,flyingattheprofessor,and
clutchingathisthroat.
Hewouldhavestrangledhimhadnotthenoiseattractedacrowd,whorushed
inandforcedNathanieltoletgo,thussavingtheprofessor,whosewoundswere
immediatelydressed.Sigismund,strongashewas,wasnotabletomasterthe
madNathaniel,whokeptcryingoutinafrighteningvoice:'Spinround,wooden
doll!'andlaidabouthimwithclenchedfists.Atlastthecombinedforceof
manysucceededinovercominghim,inflinginghimtothegroundandbinding
him.Hiswordsweremergedintoonehideousroarlikethatofabrute,andin
thisinsaneconditionhewastakenragingtothemadhouse.
BeforeIproceedtotellyou,gentlereader,whatmorebefelltheunfortunate
Nathaniel,shouldyoubychancetakeaninterestinthatskilfulopticianand
automatonmakerSpalanzani,Icaninformyouthathewascompletelyhealed
ofhiswounds.Hewas,however,obligedtoleavetheuniversity,because
Nathaniel'sstoryhadcreatedasensation,anditwasuniversallyconsidereda
quiteunpardonabletricktosmuggleawoodendollintorespectableteaparties
inplaceofalivingpersonforOlympiahadbeenquiteasuccessatteaparties.
Thelawyerscalleditamostsubtledeception,andthemoreculpable,inasmuch
ashehadplanneditsoartfullyagainstthepublicthatnotasinglesoulafew
cunningstudentsexceptedhaddetectedit,althoughallnowwishedtoplaythe
wiseacre,andreferredtovariousfactswhichhadappearedtothemsuspicious.
Nothingverycleverwasrevealedinthisway.Woulditstrikeanyoneassovery
suspicious,forinstance,that,accordingtotheexpressionofanelegantteaite,
Olympiahad,contrarytoallusage,sneezedoftenerthanshehadyawned?'The
former,'remarkedthisfashionableperson,'wasthesoundoftheconcealed
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clockworkwindingitselfup.Moreover,ithadcreakedaudibly.'Andsoon.
Theprofessorofpoetryandeloquencetookapinchofsnuff,clappedthelidof
hisboxto,clearedhisthroat,andsaidsolemnly:'Ladiesandgentlemen,doyou
notperceivewherethetricklies?Itisallanallegoryasustainedmetaphor
youunderstandmesapient!sat.
Butmanywerenotsatisfiedwiththisthestoryoftheautomatonhadstruck
deeprootintotheirsoulsand,infact,aperniciousmistrustofhumanfiguresin
generalhadbeguntocreepin.Manylovers,tobequiteconvincedthatthey
werenotenamouredofwoodendolls,wouldrequesttheirmistressestosing
anddancealittleoutoftime,toembroiderandknit,andplaywiththeir
lapdogs,whilelisteningtoreading,etc.,and,aboveall,notmerelytolisten,but
alsosometimestotalk,insuchamanneraspresupposedactualthoughtand
feeling.Withmanythebondoflovebecamefirmerandmoreentrancing,
thoughothers,onthecontrary,slippedgentlyoutofthenoose.Onecannot
reallyanswerforthis,'saidsome.Atteapartiesyawningprevailedtoan
incredibleextent,andtherewasnosneezingatall,thatallsuspicionmightbe
avoided.Spalanzani,asalreadystated,wasobligedtodecamp,toescapea
criminalprosecutionforfraudulentlyintroducinganautomatonintohuman
society.Coppolahadvanishedalso.
Nathanielawakenedasfromaheavy,frightfuldreamasheopenedhiseyes,he
feltanindescribablesensationofpleasureglowingthroughhimwithheavenly
warmth.Hewasinbedinhisownroom,inhisfathershouse,Clarawas
stoopingoverhim,andLothaireandhismotherwerestandingnear.
'Atlast,atlast,belovedNathaniel,youhaverecoveredfromyourseriousillness
nowyouaremineagain!'saidClara,fromtheverydepthofhersoul,and
claspedNathanielinherarms.
Itwaswithmingledsorrowanddelightthatthebrighttearsfellfromhiseyes,
asheansweredwithadeepsigh:'MyownmyownClara!'
Sigismund,whohadfaithfullyremainedwithhisfriendinhishouroftrouble,
nowentered.Nathanielstretchedouthishandtohim.'Andyou,faithful
brother,haveyounotdesertedme?'
EverytraceofNathaniel'smadnesshadvanished,andhesoongainedstrength
underthecareofhismother,hisbelovedandhisfriends.Goodfortunealsohad
visitedthehouse,foramiserlyolduncleofwhomnothinghadbeenexpected
haddied,leavingtheirmother,besidesconsiderableproperty,anestateina
pleasantspotnearthetown.ThitherNathanieldecidedtogo,withhisClara,
whomhenowintendedtomarry,hismotherandLothaire.Hehadgrown
milderandmoredocilethaneverhehadbeenbefore,andnow,forthefirst
time,heunderstoodtheheavenlypurityandthegreatnessofClara'smind.No
one,bytheslightesthint,remindedhimofthepast.
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Only,whenSigismundtookleaveofhim,Nathanielsaid:'Heavens,brother,I
wasinanevilway,butagoodangelledmebetimesontothepathoflight!Ah,
thatwasClara!'
Sigismunddidnotlethimcarrythediscoursefurtherforfearthatgrievous
recollectionsmightburstforthinalltheirluridbrightness.
Ataboutthistimethefourluckypersonsthoughtofgoingtotheestate.Itwas
noonandtheywerewalkinginthestreetsofthecity,wheretheyhadmade
severalpurchases.Thehighsteepleofthetownhallwasalreadycastingits
giganticshadowoverthemarketplace.
'Oh,'saidClara,'letusclimbitoncemoreandlookoutatthedistant
mountains!'
Nosoonersaidthandone.NathanielandClarabothascendedthesteps,the
motherreturnedhomewiththeservant,andLothaire,whowasnotinclinedto
clamberupsomanystairs,chosetoremainbelow.Thetwoloversstoodarm
inarmonthehighestgalleryofthetower,andlookeddownuponthemisty
forests,behindwhichthebluemountainsroselikeagiganticcity.
'Lookthereatthatcuriouslittlegreybush,'saidClara.'Itactuallylooksasifit
werestridingtowardsus.'
NathanielmechanicallyputhishandintohisbreastpockethefoundCoppola's
telescope,andpointedittooneside.Clarawasinthewayoftheglass.His
pulseandveinsleaptconvulsively.Paleasdeath,hestaredatClara,soon
streamsoffireflashedandglaredfromhisrollingeyes,heroaredfrightfully,
likeahuntedbeast.Thenhespranghighintotheairand.punctuatinghiswords
withhorriblelaughter,heshriekedoutinapiercingtone,'Spinround,wooden
doll!spinround!'ThenseizingClarawithimmenseforce,hetriedtohurlher
down,butwiththedesperatestrengthofonebattlingagainstdeathsheclutched
therailings.
Lothaireheardthe'ragingofthemadmanheheardClara'sshriekofagony
fearfulforebodingsdartedthroughhismind,heranup,thedoortothesecond
flightwasfastened,Clara'sshrieksbecamelouderandstilllouder.Franticwith
rageandanxiety,hethrewhimselfagainstthedoor,whichfinallyburstopen.
Clara'svoicewasbecomingweakerandweaker.'Helphelpsaveme!'With
thesewordsthevoiceseemedtodieontheair.
'Sheisgonemurderedbythatmadman!'criedLothaire.
Thedoorofthegallerywasalsoclosed,butdespairgavehimagiant'sstrength,
andheburstitfromthehinges.Heavens!GraspedbythemadNathaniel,Clara
washangingintheairoverthegallerywithonehandonlyshestillheldoneof
theironrailings.Quickaslightning,Lothairecaughthissisteranddrewherin,
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atthesamemomentstrikingthemadmaninthefacewithhisclenchedfistto
sucheffectthathereeledandletgohisprey.
Lothairerandownwithhisfaintingsisterinhisarms.Shewassaved.Nathaniel
wentragingaboutthegallery,leapinghighintheairandcrying,'Circleof
fire'spinround!spinround!'
Thepeoplecollectedatthesoundofhiswildshrieksandamongthem,
prominentforhisgiganticstature,wastheadvocateCoppelius,whohadjust
cometothetown,andwasproceedingstraighttothemarketplace.Some
wishedtoclimbupandsecurethemadman,butCoppeliusonlylaughed,
saying,'Ha,hajustwaithewillsooncomedownofhisownaccord,'and
lookedupliketherestNathanielsuddenlystoodstillasifpetrified.
Then,perceivingCoppelius,hestoopeddown,andyelledout,'Ah,prettyeyes
prettyeyes!'withwhichhesprangovertherailing.
WhenNathaniellayonthestonepavementwithhisheadshattered,Coppelius
haddisappearedinthecrowd.
ManyyearsafterwardsitissaidthatClarawasseeninaremotespot,sitting
handinhandwithakindlookingmanbeforethedoorofacountryhouse,while
twolivelyboysplayedbeforeher.Fromthisitmaybeinferredthatsheatlast
foundaquietdomestichappinesssuitabletohersereneandcheerfulnature,a
happinesswhichthemorbidNathanielwouldneverhavegivenher.
TranslationbyJohnOxenford

Versions>German/IllustratedEnglish/Illustrated
19thCenturyGermanStories
19941999RobertGodwinJones
VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity
DepartmentofForeignLanguages

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