Henrik Steffens

“ These hills divide two widely different climates,—forming an enormous barrier or boundary line between the two; the climates of the south and north here meet each other, without any intervening gradation of temperature, and destroy the equilibrium of the air, so that clouds are suddenly formed which rush together, and are again divided, or cling like a light veil around the lofty summit of the mountain,—blasts of wind rush in contrary directions among the high cliffs,—sudden gushes of rain pour down,—and the weather clears up and darkens with surprising rapidity. ”

“ In most large mountain-systems, the highest point is surrounded by inaccessible rocks, deep valleys, and wild ravines; and few of the peasantry dare to visit those lonely regions, imprinted with the stamp of mystery, whence Nature looks down, wild, enigmatical, and threatening upon the distant plains. ”

“ To one person only had he intrusted the secret of that spell which attracted him so frequently to this wild region,—he had told him in an hour of confidence, how his heart was stirred within him while wandering in its lonely ravines, and how there lay concealed for him in its dark rocks the long-worshipped mystery of his life, and treasures inexhaustible. ”

“ Again, should Rubezahl espy some poor knight wending his way in a threadbare suit, and upon a sorry animal, among the defiles of the mountain, he will sometimes hit upon a most delicate mode of relieving his necessities. Riding up to the traveller in the appearance of a stately knight, mounted upon a noble charger, he enters into conversation with him, and speedily contrives to engage himself in some absurd wager, stipulating that the loser shall forfeit his raiment and horse. ”

“ The mountain is rich in excellent herbs which have been used from very ancient times in the preparation of costly essences. Even at this day the inhabitants of Krummhubel gain their livelihood by the preparation of essences from the herbs which grow in these parts,—an art they may probably have derived from the students of Prague, who attended the once celebrated school of Paracelsus, and who were driven away by the war of the Hussites. Among these herbs there is one which has become peculiarly celebrated in legendary lore; it is called the spring-root, and is found only in Rubezahl’s garden. ”

“ But should some worthless profligate think to retrieve his shattered fortune by Rubezahl’s bounty, he finds himself wofully outwitted. The ordinary bargain is made to be sure, and the fellow, as usual, wins the wager, and rides gaily off, chuckling over his success ”

“ This root is of the most costly species, and possesses virtue to heal the most obstinate and inveterate diseases. But Rubezahl allows none but his particular favourites to gather it.
A lady of high birth once lay dangerously ill at Leignitz, and promised a peasant a great reward if he could procure her the spring-root from Rubezahl’s garden. Allured by her tempting promises he undertook the task. When he reached the lonely desert country where the garden lies, he seized his spade, and began to dig up the root, which was not unknown to him. ”

“ As all the tales of the Giant Mountains are founded on the existence of this capricious sprite, they do not exhibit that depth of feeling which we occasionally meet with in the traditions of other mountainous regions ”

“ When the poor man looked around him, the cavern also had disappeared, and he would have believed all that had passed to have been but an illusion had not the piece of gold which he still held in his hand satisfied him of its reality. ”

“ Rubezahl sometimes amuses himself at the expense of the poor women who come to pick up little pieces of fire-wood about the mountain; but he never fails to recompense them for the trouble and vexation his tricks may have occasioned them. To poor children, too, if deserving, he occasionally makes valuable presents. ”

“ At last the burden became insupportable even to a peasant’s brawny shoulders; for awhile he attempted to drag it behind him, but it seemed to take root in the ground, and required a still greater exercise of strength and patience to drag it forward in this manner. ”

“ This brings the mysterious more familiarly near; and what in other mountains has a destructive and gloomy power over the spirits of mankind, appears here like a light dream; the powerful spirits of the mountains only indulge themselves in a few antic tricks, and men talk of them without fear. ”

“ IV. THE TREASURE-SEEKER.
At Warmbrun [1] there lived a sober and industrious tradesman, who occupied a lonely house. His appearance bespoke great poverty; it was seldom that he entered into conversation with any person; and report alleged, that he occupied himself in chemical researches, with the hope of discovering the golden essence, and suddenly amassing great treasures. He would often wander forth alone into the wild district behind the Kynast, [2] where he would bury himself for hours together in the dark woods, and only return to his hut in the twilight. ”

“ The 33rd of these is that his name comes from numbering neeps or turnips: as if the spirit, in the excess of his avarice, could not abstain from counting the most trifling of his possessions,—the turnips of his garden. This derivation has in our days obtained most credit from the authority of Musæus, the well-known writer of Tales; only, according to him, the appellation does not mark the avarice of the spirit—for of this feature the world of tradition knows nothing—it is grounded on a love adventure. For many thousand years, Musæus relates, Rubezahl had inhabited the Giant Mountains ”

“ Then a large rock fell down in a thousand pieces. The son heard the moaning of his father, farther and still farther in the distance, and for a long time lay in deep stupor. At last the hurricane ceased to war, the sky cleared up, and the boy, struck with terror, sought the chapel to recommend himself to God. ”

“ At last, after long and toilsome search, he reached a spot from whence he could perceive the latter object;—but then the steeple of Hermsdorf had sunk behind the mountain. The treasure-seeker became feverishly anxious,—he shifted his position,—now he moved lower down, now climbed farther up the ascent,—now he advanced towards the right, now towards the left,—sometimes he got two objects in the right position, but on looking round for the others, they had vanished ”

“ Faithful service has it rendered me for many a year!” He placed the end of it on the ground to vault over a little stream: it slipped in between two large stones, and when the wanderer, confiding in its aid, leaped into the air, the trusty staff snapped in twain, and its master was precipitated into the brook in a very rough and unpleasant manner. ”

“ For instance, he delights to outwit and punish the rascally Jewish horse-venders, by sometimes presenting himself to them under the appearance of a wealthy nobleman, mounted upon a fine steed which he wishes to dispose of. The horse-dealer is, of course, allowed to drive an excellent bargain ”