584) HOMANCE OF THE SELF. 



" And must thou die my own true love ? 



And art thou slain by me ? 

 Thou wert my life, my hope, my all, 



And I have murdered thee !" 



The knight returned unto his hall, 



A changed and sorrowing man ; 

 And never, from that hour, a smile 



Passed o'er his features wan ! 



" Well," said Hubert to the self, when the song was finished, 

 " thou wilt not be a quarrelsome companion ; actuated by the same 

 impulses as myself, thou wilt be glad when I am gay, and sad when 

 I am sorrowful ; and when two persons are of the same opinion, tis 

 odds but both agree." They now arrived at the place where Hubert 

 expected to find his dwelling. Instead of a mean wooden hut, he 

 beheld a large and magnificent mansion; he gazed around him, 

 rubbed his eyes, and stared at it again. Am I awake," said he, ' f or 

 is this habitation raised by magic ? Well, what boots it, whether 

 awake or asleep, magic or not ; it seems a goodly place, and I will 

 essay to gain an entrance." Suiting the action to the word, he grasped 

 the handle of a bell, and tugged lustily. His clamourous summons 

 was answered by a porter, who, with a profound obeisance, ushered 

 him into a handsome and brilliantly illuminated apartment, in the 

 middle of which was placed a massy and richly gilt table, spread 

 with a profusion of the most costly viands. The juice of the joyous 

 grape sparkled in goblets of burnished gold, and the plates and 

 dishes were of pure and dazzling silver. At the head of the board 

 were placed two throne-like seats ; in short, all the furniture was of 

 a rare and splendid description. Hubert was led, by an attendant, 

 to one of the seats, and the self took possession of the other. The 

 viands were found to be delicious, and the wine, of which the wood- 

 cutter drank plentifully, was pronounced excellent. " This cheer is 

 delightful," said he to his companion, as they rose from the table, 

 after a long carouse, and staggered away arm in arm ; <e what thinkest 

 thou ?" The self merely repeated his words. They were conducted 

 up a wide and lofty stair-case, into a spacious chamber, where stood 

 a couch, the curtains of which were embossed with figures of gold. 

 Hubert's faculties were too much impaired by the revel to let his 

 attention be attracted by any thing which now presented itself, and 

 hastily disrobing himself, he was in a few moments fast asleep. 



The morning was far advanced when the wood-cutter awoke, but 

 the draperies of the windows kept the chamber still in darkness. All 

 recollections of the preceding night's adventures had vanished from 

 his memory, and finding he had a bedfellow, he was at a loss how to 

 account for it. He arose, and began to search for his garments, as he 

 thought it must be time for him to proceed to the forest, in order to 

 resume his employment. His search was fruitless, and to heighten 

 his vexation, his companion was following his steps, and imitating all 

 his movements. A dim recollection of the events of the night now 

 recurred to his mind. " Leave me," said he to the figure. ' ' Leave 

 me," it repeated, still keeping close to him. " Curse thy mockery !" 

 said he, aiming a blow at it. The blow fell heavily on the self, and 



