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Article THE WOODEN LEG: AN HELVETIC TALE. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Wooden Leg: An Helvetic Tale.
THE WOODEN LEG : AN HELVETIC TALE .
[[ TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF GESNER . J ON the mountain from whence the torrent of Rttnti precipitates into the valley , a young shepherd fed his goats . His pipe called echo gayly from the hollow rocks , and echo bid the valiies seven times resound his songs melodious . On a sudden he
perceived a man climbing with pain the mountain ' s side . The man was old ; years had blanched his head . A staf bent beneath his heavy tottering steps , for he had a wooden leg . He approached the young man , and seated himself by him on the moss of the rock . The " young shepherd looked at him with surprise , and his eyes were fixed on the wooden leg . My son , said the old man , smiling ,
do you not think that , infirm as I am , I should have done better to " have remained in the valley ? Know , however , that I make this journey but once a year , and this leg , as you see it , my friend , is more honourable to me , than are to many the most streight and active . I don ' t doubt , father , replied the shepherd , but it is very honourable to 0 uthoughI dare sayanother would be more
y , , , useful . Without doubt , you are tired . Will you drink some milk from my goats , or some of the fresh water that spouts below from the hollow ofthe rock ? Old Man . 1 like the frankness painted on thy visage . A little
fresh water will be sufficient . If you will bring it me hither , you shall hear the history of this wooden leg . The young shepherd ran to the fountain , and soon returned . When the old man had quenched his thrist , he said , let young people , when they behold their fathers maimed , and covered over with scars , adore " the Almighty Power , and bless their valour ; for without that would have bowed your necks beneath the yoke
you instead of thus basking in the sun ' s warmth , and making the echoes repeat your joyful notes . Mirth and gaiety inhabit these hills and Valiies , while your songs resound from one mountain-to the other . Liberty ! sweet liberty ! All we see around us is our own . We cultivate our own fields with pleasure . The crops we reap are ours ; and the time ofthe harvest is with us rejoicing days " .
Young Shepherd . He does not deserve to be a freeman , who can forget that his liberty was purchased with the blood of his forefathers . Old Man . But who , in their place , would not have done as they did ? Ever since that bloody day of Nefels , I come once a year to the top of this mountain ; but I perceive that I am now come for the last time . From hence I still behold the order of the battle .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Wooden Leg: An Helvetic Tale.
THE WOODEN LEG : AN HELVETIC TALE .
[[ TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF GESNER . J ON the mountain from whence the torrent of Rttnti precipitates into the valley , a young shepherd fed his goats . His pipe called echo gayly from the hollow rocks , and echo bid the valiies seven times resound his songs melodious . On a sudden he
perceived a man climbing with pain the mountain ' s side . The man was old ; years had blanched his head . A staf bent beneath his heavy tottering steps , for he had a wooden leg . He approached the young man , and seated himself by him on the moss of the rock . The " young shepherd looked at him with surprise , and his eyes were fixed on the wooden leg . My son , said the old man , smiling ,
do you not think that , infirm as I am , I should have done better to " have remained in the valley ? Know , however , that I make this journey but once a year , and this leg , as you see it , my friend , is more honourable to me , than are to many the most streight and active . I don ' t doubt , father , replied the shepherd , but it is very honourable to 0 uthoughI dare sayanother would be more
y , , , useful . Without doubt , you are tired . Will you drink some milk from my goats , or some of the fresh water that spouts below from the hollow ofthe rock ? Old Man . 1 like the frankness painted on thy visage . A little
fresh water will be sufficient . If you will bring it me hither , you shall hear the history of this wooden leg . The young shepherd ran to the fountain , and soon returned . When the old man had quenched his thrist , he said , let young people , when they behold their fathers maimed , and covered over with scars , adore " the Almighty Power , and bless their valour ; for without that would have bowed your necks beneath the yoke
you instead of thus basking in the sun ' s warmth , and making the echoes repeat your joyful notes . Mirth and gaiety inhabit these hills and Valiies , while your songs resound from one mountain-to the other . Liberty ! sweet liberty ! All we see around us is our own . We cultivate our own fields with pleasure . The crops we reap are ours ; and the time ofthe harvest is with us rejoicing days " .
Young Shepherd . He does not deserve to be a freeman , who can forget that his liberty was purchased with the blood of his forefathers . Old Man . But who , in their place , would not have done as they did ? Ever since that bloody day of Nefels , I come once a year to the top of this mountain ; but I perceive that I am now come for the last time . From hence I still behold the order of the battle .