e made the path so narrow that the going at
such a height was very bad. Then I saw also some that wished to go
on that path, fall: down below behind me, therefore I swung under
the railing; holding tight with my hands and went forward on the
other [left] side, till I finally came to a place on the wall
which was very precipitous and dangerous to descend. Then first I
repented that I had not stayed on the other [right] side and I
could not go under to the other side as it was also impossible to
turn round and get on the other path. So I risked it, trusted to
my good feet, held myself tight and came down without harm, and as
I walked a little further, looked and knew of no other danger, but
also knew not what had become of wall and railing.

[9]. After I came down, there stood in that place a beautiful rose
bush, on which beautiful red and white roses were growing, the red
more numerous, however, than the white. I broke off some roses
from the bush and put them on my hat. But there seemed to be in
the same place a wall, surrounding a great garden. In the garden
were lads, and their lasses who would gladly be in the garden, but
would not wander widely, or take the trouble to come to the gates.
So I pitied them. I went further along the path by which I had
come, still on the level, and went so fast that I soon came to
some houses, where I supposed I should find the gardener's house.
But I found there many people, each having his own room. They were
slow. Two together they worked diligently, yet each had his own
work. [The meaning may be either that working alone they were
slow, but in twos they worked diligently; or two of them worked
together and were diligent. Both amount to the same thing as we
shall later realize.] But what they did, it seems, I had myself
done before and all their work was familiar to me. Especially,
thought I, see, if so many other people do so much dirty and
sloppy work, that is only an appearance according to each one's
conceit, but has no reason in Nature, so it may also be pardoned
in you. I wished, therefore, because I knew such tricks vanished
like smoke, to remain here no longer in vain and proceeded on my
former way.

[10]. After I had arrived at the gate of the garden, some on one
side looked sourly at me, so that I was afraid they might hinder