Søren Kierkegaard - In Vino Veritas (The Banquet),1923

too powerful to be resisted. That this might possibly not be the case was the only contingency he apprehended; for just as there is no power like the imagination to render beautiful all it touches, neither is there any power which can to such a degree disturb all—misfortune conspiring— if confronted with reality. But driving on a summer even- ing does not lure the imagination to luxurious thoughts, but rather to the opposite. Even if one does not see it or hear it, the imagination will unconsciously create a picture of the longing for home which one is apt to feel in the evening hours—one sees the reapers, man and maid, returning from their work in the fields, one hears the hurried rattling of the hay wagon, one interprets even the far-away lowing from the meadows as a longing. Thus does a summer evening suggest idyllic thoughts, soothing even a restless mind with its assuagement, inducing even the soaring imagination to abide on earth with an indwelling yearning for home as the place from whence it came, and thus teaching the insatiable mind to be satisfied with little, by rendering one content; for in the evening hour time stands still and eternity lingers.

Thus they arrived in the evening hour : those invited; for Constantin had come out somewhat earlier. Victor Eremita who resided in the country not far away came on horse- back, the others in a carriage. And just as they had disSelections from the Writings of Kierkegaard 53 charged it, a light open vehicle rolled in through the gate carrying a merry company of four journeymen who were entertained to be ready at the decisive moment to function as a corps of destruction: just as firemen are stationed in a theatre, for the opposite reason at once to extinguish a fire.

So long as one is a child one possesses sufficient imagina- tion to maintain one's soul at the very top-notch of expectation — for a whole hour in the dark room, if need be ; but when one has grown older one's imagination may easily cause one to tire of the Christmas tree before seeing it.

The folding doors were opened. The effect of the ra- diant illumination, the coolness wafting toward them, the beguiling fragrance of sweet perfumes, the excellent taste of the arrangements, for a moment overwhelmed the feelings of those entering ; and when, at the same time, strain? from the ballet of "Don Juan" sounded from the orchestra, their persons seemed transfigured and, as if out of rever- ence for an unseen spirit about them, they stopped short for a moment like men who have been roused by admiration andwho have risen to admire.

Whoever knows that happy moment, whoever has ap- preciated its delight, and has not also felt the apprehension lest suddenly something might happen, some trifle perhaps, which yet might be sufficient to disturb all! Whoever has held the lamp of Aladdin in his hand and has not also felt the swooning of pleasure, because one needs but to wish?

Whoever has held what is inviting in his hand and has not also learned to keep his wrist limber to let go at once, if need be ?

Thus they stood side by side. Only Victor stood alone, absorbed in thought ; a shudder seemed to pass through his soul, he almost trembled; he collected himself and saluted the omen with these words: "Ye mysterious, festive, and seductive strains which drew me out of the cloistered seclu- sion of a quiet youth and beguiled me with a longing as mighty as a recollection, and terrible, as though Elvira had54 University of Texas Bulletin not even been seduced but had only desired to be! Im- mortal Mozart, thou to whom I owe all; but no! as yet I do not owe thee all. But when I shall have become an old man — if ever I do become an old man ; or when I shall have become ten years older — if ever I do ; or when I am become old — if ever I shall become old; or when I shall die — for that, indeed, I know I shall: then shall I say: immortal Mozart, thou to whom I owe all — and then I shall let my admiration, which is my soul's first and only admiration, burst forth in all its might and let it make away with me. as it often has been on the point of doing. Then have I set my house in order," then have I remembered my beloved one, then have I confessed my love, then have I fully estab- lished that I owe thee all, then am I occupied no longer with thee, with the world, but only with the grave thought ofdeath."