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sprang from the ground； shattering itself against the roof in
countless sparks； falling and flowing all together into a
great pool in the rock。 Brighter was the light…beam than molten
gold； but silent in its rise； and silent in its fall。 The sacred
stillness of a shrine； a never…broken hush of joy and wonder；
filled the cavern。 Cool was the dripping radiance that softly
trickled down the walls； and the light that rippled from them was
pale blue。
But the pool； as the boy drew near and watched it；
quivered and glanced with the ever…changing colours of a
liquid opal。 He dipped his hands in it and wet his lips。 It
seemed as if a lively breeze passed through his heart。
He felt an irresistible desire to bathe in the pool。
Slipping off his clothes he plunged in。 It was as if he
bathed in a cloud of sunset。 A celestial rapture flowed
through him。 The waves of the stream were like a bevy of
nymphs taking shape around him； clinging to him with tender
breasts； as he floated onward； lost in delight； yet keenly
sensitive to every impression。 Swiftly the current bore him
out of the pool； into a hollow in the cliff。 Here a dimness
of slumber shadowed his eyes； while he felt the pressure of
the loveliest dreams。
When he awoke again； he was aware of a new fulness of light；
purer and steadier than the first radiance。 He found himself
lying on the green turf； in the open air； beside a little
fountain； which sparkled up and melted away in silver spray。
Dark…blue were the rocks that rose at a little distance； veined
with white as if strange words were written upon them。 Dark…blue
was the sky； and cloudless。
All passion had dissolved away from him； every sound was
music； every breath was peace； the rocks were like sentinels
protecting him； the sky was like a cup of blessing full of
tranquil light。
But what charmed him most； and drew him with resistless
power； was a tall； clear…blue flower； growing beside the
spring； and almost touching him with its broad； glistening
leaves。 Round about were many other flowers； of all hues。
Their odours mingled in a perfect chord of fragrance。 He saw
nothing but the Blue Flower。
Long and tenderly he gazed at it； with unspeakable love。
At last he felt that he must go a little nearer to it； when
suddenly it began to move and change。 The leaves glistened
more brightly； and drew themselves up closely around the
swiftly growing stalk。 The flower bent itself toward him； and
the petals showed a blue； spreading necklace of sapphires； out of
which the lovely face of a girl smiled softly into his eyes。
His sweet astonishment grew with the wondrous transformation。
All at once he heard his mother's voice calling him； and
awoke in his parents' room； already flooded with the gold of
the morning sun。
From the German of Novalis。
THE SOURCE
I
In the middle of the land that is called by its inhabitants
Koorma； and by strangers the Land of the Half…forgotten； I was
toiling all day long through heavy sand and grass as hard as
wire。 Suddenly； toward evening； I came upon a place where a
gate opened in the wall of mountains； and the plain ran in
through the gate； making a little bay of level country among
the hills。
Now this bay was not brown and hard and dry； like the
mountains above me； neither was it covered with tawny billows
of sand like the desert along the edge of which I had wearily
coasted。 But the surface of it was smooth and green； and as
the winds of twilight breathed across it they were followed by
soft waves of verdure； with silvery turnings of the under
sides of many leaves； like ripples on a quiet harbour。 There
were fields of corn； filled with silken rustling； and
vineyards with long rows of trimmed maple…trees standing
each one like an emerald goblet wreathed with vines； and
flower…gardens as bright as if the earth had been embroidered
with threads of blue and scarlet and gold； and olive…orchards
frosted over with delicate and fragrant blossoms。 Red…roofed
cottages were scattered everywhere through the sea of
greenery； and in the centre； like a white ship surrounded by
a flock of little boats； rested a small； fair； shining city。
I wondered greatly how this beauty had come into being on
the border of the desert。 Passing through the fields and
gardens and orchards； I found that they were all encircled and
lined with channels full of running water。 I followed up one
of the smaller channels until it came to a larger stream； and
as I walked on beside it； still going upward； it guided me
into the midst of the city； where I saw a sweet； merry river
flowing through the main street； with abundance of water and
a very pleasant sound。
There were houses and shops and lofty palaces and all that
makes a city； but the life and joy of all； and the one thing
that I remember best； was the river。 For in the open square at
the edge of the city there were marble pools where the children
might bathe and play； at the corners of the streets and on the
sides of the houses there were fountains for the drawing of
water； at every crossing a stream was turned aside to run out to
the vineyards； and the river was the mother of them all。
There were but few people in the streets； and none of the
older folk from whom I might ask counsel or a lodging； so I
stood and knocked at the door of a house。 It was opened by an
old man； who greeted me with kindness and bade me enter as his
guest。 After much courteous entertainment； and when supper
was ended； his friendly manner and something of singular
attractiveness in his countenance led me to tell him of my
strange journeyings in the land of Koorma and in other lands
where I had been seeking the Blue Flower； and to inquire of
him the name and the story of his city and the cause of the
river which made it glad。
〃My son；〃 he answered； 〃this is the city which was called
Ablis； that is to say； Forsaken。 For long ago men lived here；
and the river made their fields fertile； and their dwellings were
full of plenty and peace。 But because of many evil things which
have been half…forgotten； the river was turned aside； or else it
was dried up at its source in the high place among the mountains；
so that the water flowed down no more。 The channels and the
trenches and the marble pools and the basins beside the houses
remained； but they were empty。 So the gardens withered； the
fields were barren； the city was desolate； and in the broken
cisterns there was scanty water。
〃Then there came one from a distant country who was very
sorrowful to see the desolation。 He told the people that it
was vain to dig new cisterns and to keep the channels and
trenches clean； for the water had come only from above。 The
Source must be found again and reopened。 The river would not
flow unless they traced it back to the spring； and visited it
continually； and offered prayers and praises beside it without
ceasing。 Then the spring would rise to an outpouring； and the
water would run down plentifully to make the gardens blossom
and the city rejoice。
〃So he went forth to open the fountain； but there were few
that went with him； for he was a poor man of lowly a