Huge fish were struggling amidst the meshes--princely salmon,--their brilliant mail of blue and silver flashing in the morning beam; so goodly and gay a scene, in truth, had never greeted my boyish eye.
And, as I gazed upon the prospect, my bosom began to heave, and my tears to trickle.

Was it the beauty of the scene which gave rise to these emotions?
Possibly; for though a poor ignorant child--a half-wild creature--I was not insensible to the loveliness of nature, and took pleasure in the happiness and handiworks of my fellow-creatures.

Yet, perhaps, in something more deep and mysterious the feelings which then pervaded me might originate.

Who can lie down on Elvir Hill without experiencing something of the sorcery of the place?
Flee from Elvir Hill, young swain, or the maids of Elle will have power over you, and you will go elf-wild!--so say the Danes.

I had unconsciously laid myself down upon haunted ground; and I am willing to imagine that what I then experienced was rather connected with the world of spirits and dreams than with what I actually saw and heard around me.