Carwin's agency was here easily recognized I had besought him to interpose in my defense He had flown I had imagined him deaf to my prayer, and resolute me perish; yet he disappeared merely to devise and execute the means relief

Why did he not forbear end was accomplished ? Why did his misjudging zeal and accursed precipitation overpass that limit ? Or meant he thus to crown the scene, and conduct his inscrutable plots consummation ?

Such ideas were the fruit of subsequent contemplation This moment was pregnant with fate I had no power to reason career tempestuous thoughts, rent into pieces as my mind was by accumulating horrors, Carwin was unseen and unsuspected I partook of Wieland's credulity, shook amazement, and panted awe

Silence took place for moment: as allowed the attention to recover its post Then new sounds were uttered from above:--

"Man of errors ! cease to cherish thy delusion; not heaven or hell, but thy senses, have misled thee to commit these acts Shake off thy frenzy, and ascend into rational and human Be lunatic no longer "

My brother opened his lips His tone was terrific and faint He muttered an appeal to heaven difficult to comprehend the theme inquiries They implied doubt nature impulse that hitherto had guided him, and questioned whether he had acted in consequence of insane perceptions

interrogatories the voice, which now seemed to hover at his shoulder, loudly answered affirmative Then uninterrupted silence ensued

Fallen lofty and heroic station; now finally restored perception of truth; weighed to earth recollection own deeds; consoled no longer by consciousness of rectitude loss of offspring and wife,--a loss indebted own misguided hand,--Wieland was transformed at once MAN OF SORROWS !

He reflected not that credit as reasonably denied last any former intimation; that one might as justly be ascribed to erring or diseased senses other not discovery in no degree affected the integrity conduct; that his motives had lost none claims homage of mankind; preference of supreme good, boundless energy of duty, were undiminished bosom

to pursue him ghastly changes countenance Words he had none Now he sat floor, motionless in all his limbs, eyes glazed and fixed, monument of woe

Anon spirit of tempestuous but undesigning activity seized him He rose place and strode across the floor, tottering and at random His eyes were without moisture, and gleamed fire that consumed his vitals The muscles face were agitated by convulsions His lips moved, but no sound escaped him

That nature should long sustain this conflict was not believed My state was little different brother I entered, as it were, into his thoughts My heart was visited and rent by his pangs "Oh that thy frenzy had never been cured ! that thy madness, with its blissful visions, would return ! or, if not be, that thy scene would hasten to close ! --that death would cover thee oblivion !

"What can for thee ? Thou who hast vied great Preacher of thy faith in sanctity of motives, and in elevation above sensual and selfish ! Thou whom thy fate has changed into parricide and savage ! Can continuance of thy being ? No "

For time his movements seemed destitute of purpose If he walked; if he turned; if his fingers were entwined with ; if his hands were pressed against opposite sides head with force sufficient to crush it into pieces; to tear his mind from self-contemplation; to waste his thoughts on external objects

Speedily this train was broken beam appeared darted into his mind which gave purpose efforts An avenue to escape presented itself; and now he eagerly gazed about him When my thoughts became engaged by his demeanor, my fingers were stretched as by mechanical force, knife, no longer heeded or of use, escaped from my grasp and fell unperceived floor His eye now lighted upon it; he seized it quickness of thought

I shrieked aloud, but too late He plunged it hilt neck; life instantly escaped stream that gushed wound stretched at my feet; and my hands were sprinkled blood as he fell

Such was thy last deed, my brother ! For spectacle like it my fate reserved ! Thy eyes were closed--thy face ghastly with death--thy arms, spot where thou lyedst, floated in thy life's blood ! These images for moment forsaken me Till breathless and cold, continue to hover in my sight

Carwin, as , had left the room; but he still lingered house My voice summoned him to my aid; but I scarcely noticed his reentrance, and now faintly recollect his terrified looks, his broken exclamations, his vehement avowals of innocence, the effusions pity , offers of assistance

listen--I answered him not--I ceased to upbraid or accuse His guilt was point indifferent Ruffian or devil, black as hell or bright as angels, thenceforth nothing incapable of sparing look or thought ruin that was spread at my feet

When he left me, scarcely conscious of any variation scene He informed the inhabitants hut of what had passed, flew spot Careless own safety, he hasted city to inform my friends condition

My uncle speedily arrived house The body of Wieland was removed from my presence, supposed that follow it; but no, my home is ascertained; here taken up my rest, and never will I go hence, till, like Wieland, borne to my grave

Importunity was tried in vain They threatened to remove me by violence,--nay, violence was used; but my soul prizes too dearly this little roof to endure bereaved of it Force prevail hoary locks and supplicating tears uncle were ineffectual My repugnance to move gave birth to ferociousness and frenzy when force was employed, were obliged to consent to my return

They besought me--they remonstrated--they appealed to every duty that connected me that made me and with my fellow-men--in vain While I live go hence Have I not fulfilled my destiny ?

Why will ye torment me with your reasonings and reproofs ? Can ye restore the hope better days ? Can ye back Catharine and her babes ? Can ye recall to life him who died at my feet ?

eat-- drink-- lie down and rise up--at your bidding; all I ask choice abode What unreasonable demand ? Shortly will I be at peace spot which chosen to breathe my last sigh Deny me not, I beseech you, so slight boon

Talk not , O my reverend friend ! of Carwin He has told thee his tale, and thou exculpatest him from all direct concern fate of Wieland This scene of havoc was produced by an illusion senses Be it so; I care not from what source these disasters have flowed; it suffices that swallowed up our hopes existence

What his agency began, his agency conducted to close He intended, final effort power, to rescue me and to banish his illusions from my brother Such is his tale, concerning the truth I care not Henceforth I foster but one wish: I ask only quick deliverance from life and all the ills that attend it

Go, wretch ! torment me not with thy presence and thy prayers -- Forgive thee ? Will that avail thee when thy fateful hour shall arrive ? Be thou acquitted at thy own tribunal, and thou needest not fear the verdict of others If thy guilt be capable of blacker hues, if hitherto thy conscience be without stain, thy crime made more flagrant by thus violating my retreat Take thyself away from my sight if thou wouldst not behold my death !

Thou art gone ! murmuring and reluctant ! And now my repose is coming--my work is done !