Creative Books

"
At length a sun-burst. In 1840 appeared the first number of Schumann's
"Myrthen," whose dedication, _Seiner geliebten Braut_, breaks forth in
the passionate and beautiful song,--"Thou my soul, O thou my heart!"
But this word _Braut_ means Bride in the German sense of "affianced";
and although the joy of this relation passed over Schumann like the
breath of a Tropic, bringing forth, amongst other gorgeous fruits, his
glorious First Symphony, which some one has well called the Symphony of
Bliss, yet, ere this bliss was more than an elusive vision, the two
passed through fierce wildernesses, and drank together of bitter Marahs.
"But of all this," said Florestan, "you will know, if you have the right
to know, from these,"--his "Voice from afar," and his "Night-Pieces."
Neither of us dared break the silence claimed by these exquisite pieces
when they ceased; we shook hands and parted without a word.

III.
But another mystery about the loved and lost master, which I longed to
have revealed, would not let me leave the city.


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