I will not attempt to describe the environs, save by saying, that all
the pleasures to be found in the most varied and artistic arrangement of
wood and river, lawn and wild forest, garden and shrubbery, rocky hill
and luxurious vale; in living creatures wild and tame, in gorgeous
birds, scattered fountains, little streams, and reedy lakes--all were
here. Some parts of the palace itself I shall have occasion to describe
more minutely.

For this whole morning I never thought of my demon shadow; and not till
the weariness which supervened on delight brought it again to my
memory, did I look round to see if it was behind me: it was scarcely
discernible. But its presence, however faintly revealed, sent a pang to
my heart, for the pain of which, not all the beauties around me could
compensate. It was followed, however, by the comforting reflection that,
peradventure, I might here find the magic word of power to banish
the demon and set me free, so that I should no longer be a man beside
myself.

The Queen of Fairy Land, thought I, must dwell here: surely she
will put forth her power to deliver me, and send me singing through
the further gates of her country back to my own land. "Shadow of me!"
I said; "which art not me, but which representest thyself to me as me;
here I may find a shadow of light which will devour thee, the shadow of
darkness! Here I may find a blessing which will fall on thee as a curse,
and damn thee to the blackness whence thou hast emerged unbidden." I
said this, stretched at length on the slope of the lawn above the river;
and as the hope arose within me, the sun came forth from a light fleecy
cloud that swept across his face; and hill and dale, and the great river
winding on through the still mysterious forest, flashed back his rays as
with a silent shout of joy; all nature lived and glowed; the very earth
grew warm beneath me; a magnificent dragon-fly went past me like an
arrow from a bow, and a whole concert of birds burst into choral song.