re--more--and
engulfest rich argosies with all their treasures--thou insatiate sea!
And in thy dark caverns are the skeletons of the myriads of human beings
whom thou hast swallowed up in thy fury; and whose bones are trophies
which thou retainest in thy fathomless depths, as the heart of man
enshrineth the relics of those hopes which have wasted away and
perished!"

Thus thought Wagner, as he stood gazing upon the sea, then so calm and
beautiful, but which he knew to be so treacherous. When wearied of the
reflections which that scene inspired, and not daring to allow his mind
to dwell upon the image of Nisida, he repaired to the nearest grove and
refreshed himself with the cooling fruits which he plucked. Then he
extended his rambles amongst the verdant plains, and strove strenuously
to divert his thoughts as much as possible from the one grand and
mournful idea--the departure of Nisida from the island! But vainly did
he endeavor to fix his attention upon the enchanting characteristics of
that clime;--the flowers appeared to him less brilliant in hue than they
were wont to be--the fruits were less inviting--the verdure was of a
less lively green--and the plumage of the birds seemed to have lost the
bright gloss that rendered its colors so gorgeous in the sunlight. For,
oh! the powers of his vision were almost completely absorbed in his
mind; and that mind was a mirror wherein was now reflected with a
painful vividness all the incidents of the last few hours.

But still he was sustained in his determination not to retrace his way
to the spot where he had left Nisida; and when several hours had passed,
and the sun was drawing near the western horizon, he exclaimed, in a
moment of holy triumph, "She has doubtless by this time quitted the
island, and I have been enabled to resist those anxious longings which
prompted me to return and clasp her in my arms! O God! I thank thee that
thou hast given me this strength!"

Wagner now felt so overcome with weariness after his wanderings and
roamings of so many hours, especially as the two preceding nights had
been sleepless for him--that he sat down upon a piece of low rock near
the shore. A quiet, dreamy repose insensibly stole over him: in a few
minutes his slumber was profound. And now he beheld a strange vision.
Gradually the darkness which appeared to surround him grew less intense;
and a gauzy vapor that rose in the midst, at first of the palest bluish
tint possible, by de