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NOVALIS (extract from Heinrich von Osterdingen)

Eventually the young man lost himself in his sweet contemplation, and fell asleep. He dreamt of strange far off lands, wild, unknown regions. He seemed to float across vast expanses of oceans, saw marvellous animals, lived with the diverse tribes of humanity, sometimes in scenes of war and riot, sometimes in peaceful huts. He lived a life of ever changing pleasures, died, came alive again, was passionately in love, and then separated from the one he loved for ever. Finally toward morning, at the break of dawn, a calmness overtook him, and his thoughts became more clear and definite. He seemed to be wandering alone through a gloomy forest. Only the occasional ray of light broke through the tangled green canopy above him.

After some time he reached a little meadow on the slope of the hill. Above it towered a cliff, and at its base he saw a small opening leading into a rock hewn passage. He hurried along it for a time until he reached a wider space, guided by a faint, glimmering light. As he entered the grotto he was dazed by a shaft of light, bright as gold, which sprang up like a fountain, almost touching the high vaulted roof, showering down countless sparks into a great marble pool. No sound broke the silence. He approached the pool, which trembled and quivered with every colour of the rainbow. The walls of the grotto were clothed in light, which gave off a pale blue lustre, but no heat. He dipped his hand in the pool and touched his lips, and as he did he felt a thrill of energy pervade his whole being. An irresistible impulse led him to take off his clothes and bathe in this mystic element. It was a sensation of sunset clouds flowing around him, a sacred feeling flooded his inner being with heartfelt yearning, and a rush of quickened thought and feeling called up new and amazing images and pictures, which like waves of this beautiful element pressed against him like a delicate breast. It seemed as he gazed no fantasy, but reality. The very element grew transformed into beautiful maidens, each embodying herself against him momentarily.

Though each impression intoxicated him with delight, he consciously swam along the luminous stream which flowed out of the basin into the cavern. Deep, sweet sleep overpowered him. When he woke he was lying on the soft floor of a valley at the edge of a well. At a little distance, hazy blue cliffs rose with gleaming veins of gold shining through their sides. All around him was a soft mellow light, and the sky above was blue and cloudless. What most attracted him was a lovely blue flower growing at the edge of the well. Its large glossy green leaves overshadowed him. The air was perfumed by the fragrance of flowers of every colour, but he cared for none of them but the blue flower, at which he gazed in tender adoration. As he stood to examine it more closely, it seemed to move and change , the glossy leaves bent down at the stalk and the blossom lent towards him, the petals slowly opened and he saw a lovely, tender face. Amazed at this sight, he was about to speak when he was aroused by his mothers voice, and he found himself in his own room, the golden light of early day streaming through the casement............

"But father why are you so opposed to dreams, when by their strange changes and tender influence, they awaken reflection? Isn't every dream, even the most confused, a curious cleft in the mysterious curtain which veils our inner life? In the wisest books you find countless dreams of trustworthy men.....dreams are a relief from the monotony of life... .Were it not for dreams, we would grow old sooner....cheerful companions in lifes journey from the cradle to the grave. Certainly my last nights dream was no chance occurrence in my life, it was as if a great wheel raised my soul in its tremendous gyrations..........."

"Do you remember telling me in those days of a strange dream you had in Rome" said the mother" a dream which, you assured me led to Augsburg to court me?"

"....it warms my heart even now to think of the talk, which lasted far into the night. At last he showed me into a bedroom as it was too late to return to town. I soon fell asleep..........

...There were flowers and streams in all direction, and amongst all the flowers one particularly charmed me-"

"Oh Father, tell me what was its colour?" Heinrich asked excitedly.

"I cannot remember"

"Was it blue?"

"Maybe," continued his father without noticing Heinrich's emotion "but I do remember that it awoke inexpressible sensations in my mind. I turned around and saw my gentle guide smiling at me........'You have seen the wonder of the world' he said 'It depends on yourself to be the happiest man in the world and to achieve honour. Heed my words, if you return here on the eve of St John, and pray to God to enlighten you as to the dream, you may have the highest earthly life. Mark a little blue flower which you will see on your way. Pick it and humbly await divine guidance.' Then my dream led me among the noblest forms of men, and endless ages passed with their bewildering changes before my eyes. My tongue seemed unloosed. What I said sounded like sweetest music. Then I looked up and saw your mother, with a friendly blushing face. She held a beauteous child in her arms, which she placed in mine. The child seemed suddenly to grow and expand. A dazzling white light enfolded it as it unfolded snow white wings and rose into the air. It flew and soared higher and higher, until the earth lay beneath us like a golden ball. I woke took a friendly farewell of my host who begged me to return. I should have done so, but a sudden impulse made me leave Rome, and hurry home to Augsburg as I longed intensely to meet your mother.

Back to Novalis

Florienne (A fairytale inspired by the blue flower)

(A basic English translation of Heinrich is here) -under construction