Adelbert von Chamisso
Adelbert von Chamisso
Adelbert von Chamissowas a German poet and botanist, author of Peter Schlemihl, a famous story about a man who sold his shadow. He was commonly known in French as Adelbert de Chamissode Boncourt, a name referring to the family estate at Boncourt...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth30 January 1781
CountryGermany
banquet flattered following invited mistaken ordered ready revered
My vanity was flattered by having been mistaken for our revered sovereign. I ordered a banquet to be got ready for the following evening, under the trees before my house, and invited the whole town.
meantime ordered
I ordered gold in the meantime to be showered down without ceasing among the happy multitude.
accepted count deepest known majesty respect word
The word majesty was now dropped; but, with the deepest respect and humility, I was addressed as the count. What could I do? I accepted the title, and from that moment I was known as Count Peter.
care devise following grey man means morning
My first care the following morning was, to devise some means of discovering the man in the grey cloak.
air although appeared endure horror inspired longer passed unable
This man, although he appeared so humble and embarrassed in his air and manners, and passed so unheeded, had inspired me with such a feeling of horror by the unearthly paleness of his countenance, from which I could not avert my eyes, that I was unable longer to endure it.
wealth fame
Hope roves in a future of fame and wealth.
men wings iron
What use would wings be to a man bound in iron fetters? They would only drive him to even greater despair.
shadow safe sun
A person without a shadow should keep out of the sun, that is the only safe and rational plan.
men wings iron
Of what use were wings to a man fast bound in chains of iron?
character eye blue
In this watering-place I acted an heroic character, badly studied; and being a novice on such a stage, I forgot my part before a pair of lovely blue eyes.
journey together crowds
After a prosperous, but to me very wearisome, voyage, we came at last into port. Immediately on landing I got together my few effects; and, squeezing myself through the crowd, went into the nearest and humblest inn which first met my gaze.
afterlife gold purses
On recovering my senses, I hastened to quit a place where I hoped there was nothing further to detain me. I first filled my pockets with gold, then fastened the strings of the purse round my neck, and concealed it in my bosom.
mean hype parent
All possible means were used by the infatuated parents to conclude the bargain; and deception put an end to these usual artifices.
art loss talking
When I spoke, I was listened to; and I was at a loss to know how I had so easily acquired the art of commanding attention, and giving the tone to the conversation.