Seite 4.)

She raised herself, tottereforward a few steps, and sank down again at the entrance to a little church.
The gate stood open, lights were burning upon the altar, and the organ sounded.

What music! Such notes the Dryad had never yet heard; and yet it seemed to her as if she
recognized a number of well-known voices among them. They came deep from the heart of all
creation. She thought she heard the stories of the old clergyman, of great deeds, and of the
celebrated names, and of the gifts that the creatures of God must bestow upon posterity, if they
would live on in the world.

The tones of the organ swelled, and in their song there sounded these words:

"Thy wishing and thy longing have torn thee, with thy roots, from the place which God appointed
for thee. That was thy destruction, thou poor Dryad!"

The notes became soft and gentle, and seemed to die away in a wail.

In the sky the clouds showed themselves with a ruddy gleam. The Wind sighed:

"Pass away, ye dead! now the sun is going to rise!"

The first ray fell on the Dryad. Her form was irradiated in changing colors, like the soap-bubble
when it is bursting and becomes a drop of water; like a tear that falls and passes away like a vapor.

Poor Dryad! Only a dew-drop, only a tear, poured upon the earth, and vanished away! - -

THE END

Zu Seite 3

to Fairys