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2 5 2 I n t e r p r e t a t i o n Volume 41 / Issue 3I had barely leaned against a tree trunk,when a light suddenly appeared to menot otherwise than when lightning strikes;40 but as the lighting was not disappearing,on the contrary, growing and coming near me,ever bigger and brighter it appeared to me.I had fixed my eye steadily on it,and around it I heard a murmur45 of rustling branches, which was coming after it.I was deprived of almost every sense,and, frightened at this new thing,I kept my face turned toward what I heard,when a lady full of beauty,50 but fresh and vivacious, showed herself to mewith her blonde and disheveled tresses.With her left hand she carried a great lightthrough the forest, and in her right handshe was holding a horn which she sounded.55 Around her, across the solitary plain,were innumerable animals,that followed behind her in a troop.Bears, wolves, and proud and beastly lions,and stags and badgers, and with many other wild animals,60 an infinite number of boars.This made me fear much more,and I would have fled pale and wan,had my will and power been joined.But which star would have shown me port?65 And where, miserable, would I have gone?Or who would have escorted me to my path?They were doubts all of my thoughts,if I had to wait for her to come to me,or reverent introduce myself to her;70 such that before I could leave the trunk,she suddenly appeared, and in an astute wayand with veiled smile: “Good evening,” she said.And it was such a familiar greeting,with such grace, as she would have done,75 if she had seen me a thousand times.