r answered that the
mill was shut down on the other side. Just then I also saw a
miller's boy go in from the sluice plank [Schutzensteg], and I
followed after him. When I had come over the plank [Steg], which
had the water wheels on the left, I stood still and was amazed at
what I saw there. For the wheels were now higher than the plank,
the water coal black, but its drops were yet white, and the sluice
planks were not over three fingers wide. Still I ventured back and
held onto the sticks that were over the sluice planks and so came
safely and dry over the water. Then I asked the old miller how
many water wheels he had. "Ten," answered he. The adventure stuck
in my mind. I should have gladly known what the meaning was. But
as I noticed that the miller would not leave I went away, and
there was in front of the mill a lofty paved hill, on which were
some of the previously mentioned elders who walked in the sun,
which then shone very warm, and they had a letter from the whole
faculty written to them, on which they were consulting. [In our
modern mode of expression, the elders had directed a letter to the
sun, and so I find the passage in an English version of the
parable. This generally bungling translation is nevertheless not
in the least authoritative. And although an acceptable meaning is
derived from it, if one regards the sun as the just mentioned
"prince," yet I believe a freer translation should be given ...
the elders walked in the warm sunshine; they consulted about a
letter written to them by the faculty.] I soon noticed what the
contents must be, and that it concerned me. I went therefore to
them and said, "Gentlemen, does it concern me?" "Yes," said they,
"you must keep in marriage the woman that you have recently taken
or we must notify our prince." I said, "that is no trouble as I
was born at the same time as she and brought up as a child with
her, and as I have taken her once I will keep her forever, and
death itself shall not part us, for I have an ardent affection for
her." "What have we then to complain of?" replied they. "The bride
is content, and we have your will; you must copulate."
"Contented," said I. "Well," said one, "the lion will then regain
his life and become more powerful and mighty than before."

[12]. Then occurred to me my previous trouble and lab