Ludwig Tieck

“ Kronenberg gathered himself, helped his nag to rise, and tried to regain the highway across the meadows and footpaths and through the woods.
In cheerful sunshine he roamed through many beautiful districts, sometimes lingering in the towns, making new acquaintances, tarrying at the watering-places, and trying to occupy himself and take his mind off his troubles. By now he had penetrated into the valleys of a romantic mountain range, and the variety of forest and mountain, hill and meadow delighted him immensely. ”

“ As he got closer, he noticed that the highway went to the left in front of the house, close to the wall: but the main gate was fully open and through this he could see into the courtyard. Many people were gathered on a large glacis in front of the manor; he could make out the faces of some pretty girls; he was sorry that he could not in all propriety ride through the courtyard in order to get a closer look at them. His horse, however, corrupted by its pranks and as though it could sense these thoughts and wished to facilitate this desire, made straight for the gateway at a strong gallop. ”

“ But Mankind — poor Mankind! No sooner is his tongue loosed than he gives himself over wholly to lying with his very first babbling, and then there is no going back; even his innermost thoughts are untrue, his most heartfelt emotions a sham, and he loses himself in a labyrinth of doubts, excuses, finery and vanity. ”