these assaults can save thee from
disgrace and ruin. Whilst laboring here thou art passing your
apprenticeship; belief and full knowledge will lead thee to the near
goal, if thou but hold fast what thou hast well begun. Bear _her_
always and truly in thy thoughts, her who loves thee; then shalt thou
see the marvels of the Golden Pot, and be happy forevermore. Fare
thee well! Archivarius Lindhorst expects thee tomorrow at noon in
thy cabinet. Fare thee well!" With these words Archivarius Lindhorst
softly pushed the student Anselmus out of the door, which he then
locked; and Anselmus found himself in the chamber where he had dined,
the single door of which led out to the lobby.

Altogether stupified with these strange phenomena, the student
Anselmus stood lingering at the street-door; he heard a window open
above him, and looked up: it was Archivarius Lindhorst, quite the
old man again, in his light-gray gown, as he usually appeared. The
Archivarius called to him: "Hey, worthy Herr Anselmus, what are
you studying over there? Tush, the Arabic is still in your head.
My compliments to Herr Conrector Paulmann, if you see him; and come
tomorrow precisely at noon. The fee for this day is lying in your
right waistcoat-pocket." The student Anselmus actually found the clear
speziesthaler in the pocket indicated; but he took no joy in it. "What
is to come of all this," said he to himself, "I know not; but if it
be some mad delusion and conjuring work that has laid hold of me, the
dear Serpentina still lives and moves in my inward heart, and rather
than leave her I will perish altogether; for I know that the thought
in me is eternal, and no hostile Principle can take it from me; and
what else is this thought but Serpentina's love?"

EIGHTH VIGIL

The Library of the Palm-trees. Fortunes of an unhappy Salamander.
How the Black Quill caressed a Parsnip, and Registrator Heerbrand
was much overcome with Liqueur.

The student Anselmus had now worked several days with Archivarius
Lindhorst; these working hours were for him the happiest of his life;
ever encircled with the lovely tone of Serpentina's encouraging words,
he was filled and overflowed with a pure delight, which often rose
to highest rapture. Every strait, every little care of his needy
existence, had vanished from his thoughts; and in the new life which
had risen on him as in serene sunny splendor, he comprehended all
the wonders of a higher world, whic