\"Disposeofmeasthouwilt!\"
Zanonistoodinsilenceforsomemoments:hesawthestrugglewhichthegirlthoughtsheconcealedsowell；hemadeaninvoluntarymovementtowardsher，andpressedherhandtohislips；itwasthefirsttimehehadeverdepartedevensofarfromacertainausteritywhichperhapsmadeherfearhimandherownthoughtstheless。
\"Viola，\"saidhe，andhisvoicetrembled，\"thedangerthatIcanavertnomore，ifthoulingerstillinNaples，comeshourlynearandneartothee!Onthethirddayfromthisthyfatemustbedecided。Iacceptthypromise。Beforethelasthourofthatday，comewhatmay，Ishallseetheeagain，HERE，atthineownhouse。Tillthen，farewell!\"
CHAPTER3。IV。
Betweentwoworldslifehoverslikeastar\'Twixtnightandmorn。
Byron。
WhenGlyndonleftViola，asrecordedintheconcludingchapteroftheseconddivisionofthiswork，hewasabsorbedagaininthosemysticaldesiresandconjectureswhichthehauntingrecollectionofZanonialwaysservedtocreate。Andashewanderedthroughthestreets，hewasscarcelyconsciousofhisownmovementstill，inthemechanismofcustom，hefoundhimselfinthemidstofoneofthenoblecollectionsofpictureswhichformtheboastofthoseItaliancitieswhosegloryisinthepast。Thitherhehadbeenwont，almostdaily，torepair，forthegallerycontainedsomeofthefinestspecimensofamasterespeciallytheobjectofhisenthusiasmandstudy。There，beforetheworksofSalvator，hehadoftenpausedindeepandearnestreverence。Thestrikingcharacteristicofthatartististhe\"VigourofWill；\"voidoftheelevatedideaofabstractbeauty，whichfurnishesamodelandarchetypetothegeniusofmoreillustriousorder，thesingularenergyofthemanhewsoutoftherockadignityofhisown。Hisimageshavethemajesty，notofthegod，butthesavage；utterlyfree，likethesublimerschools，fromthecommon-placeofimitation，——apart，withthem，fromtheconventionallittlenessoftheReal，——hegraspstheimagination，andcompelsittofollowhim，nottotheheaven，butthroughallthatismostwildandfantasticuponearth；asorcery，notofthestarrymagian，butofthegloomywizard，——amanofromancewhoseheartbeatstrongly，gripingartwithahandofiron，andforcingittoidealisethescenesofhisactuallife。Beforethispowerfulwill，GlyndondrewbackmoreawedandadmiringthanbeforethecalmerbeautywhichrosefromthesoulofRaphael，likeVenusfromthedeep。
Andnow，asawakingfromhisreverie，hestoodoppositetothatwildandmagnificentgloomofNaturewhichfrownedonhimfromthecanvas，theveryleavesonthosegnome-like，distortedtreesseemedtorustlesibyllinesecretsinhisear。ThoseruggedandsombreApennines，thecataractthatdashedbetween，suited，morethantheactualsceneswouldhavedone，themoodandtemperofhismind。Thestern，uncouthformsatrestonthecragsbelow，anddwarfedbythegiantsizeoftheMatterthatreignedaroundthem，impressedhimwiththemightofNatureandthelittlenessofMan。Asingeniusofthemorespiritualcast，thelivingman，andthesoulthatlivesinhim，arestudiouslymadetheprominentimage；andthemereaccessoriesofscenekeptdown，andcastback，asiftoshowthattheexilefromparadiseisyetthemonarchoftheoutwardworld，——so，inthelandscapesofSalvator，thetree，themountain，thewaterfall，becometheprincipal，andmanhimselfdwindlestotheaccessory。TheMatterseemstoreignsupreme，anditstruelordtocreepbeneathitsstupendousshadow。Inertmattergivinginteresttotheimmortalman，nottheimmortalmantotheinertmatter。Aterriblephilosophyinart!
Whilesomethingofthesethoughtspassedthroughthemindofthepainter，hefelthisarmtouched，andsawNicotbyhisside。
\"Agreatmaster，\"saidNicot，\"butIdonotlovetheschool。\"
\"Idonotlove，butIamawedbyit。Welovethebeautifulandserene，butwehaveafeelingasdeepaslovefortheterribleanddark。\"
\"True，\"saidNicot，thoughtfully。\"Andyetthatfeelingisonlyasuperstition。Thenursery，withitstalesofghostsandgoblins，isthecradleofmanyofourimpressionsintheworld。
Butartshouldnotseektopandertoourignorance；artshouldrepresentonlytruths。IconfessthatRaphaelpleasesmeless，becauseIhavenosympathywithhissubjects。Hissaintsandvirginsaretomeonlymenandwomen。\"
\"Andfromwhatsourceshouldpainting，then，takeitsthemes？\"
\"Fromhistory，withoutdoubt，\"returnedNicot，pragmatically，——
\"thosegreatRomanactionswhichinspiremenwithsentimentsoflibertyandvalour，withthevirtuesofarepublic。IwishthecartoonsofRaphaelhadillustratedthestoryoftheHoratii；butitremainsforFranceandherRepublictogivetoposteritythenewandthetrueschool，whichcouldneverhaveariseninacountryofpriestcraftanddelusion。\"
\"AndthesaintsandvirginsofRaphaelaretoyouonlymenandwomen？\"repeatedGlyndon，goingbacktoNicot\'scandidconfessioninamaze，andscarcelyhearingthedeductionstheFrenchmandrewfromhisproposition。
\"Assuredly。Ha，ha!\"andNicotlaughedhideously，\"doyouaskmetobelieveinthecalendar，orwhat？\"
\"Buttheideal？\"
\"Theideal!\"interruptedNicot。\"Stuff!TheItaliancritics，andyourEnglishReynolds，haveturnedyourhead。Theyaresofondoftheir\'gustogrande，\'andtheir\'idealbeautythatspeakstothesoul!\'——soul!——ISthereasoul？Iunderstandamanwhenhetalksofcomposingforarefinedtaste，——foraneducatedandintelligentreason；forasensethatcomprehendstruths。Butasforthesoul，——bah!——wearebutmodificationsofmatter，andpaintingismodificationofmatteralso。\"
GlyndonturnedhiseyesfromthepicturebeforehimtoNicot，andfromNicottothepicture。Thedogmatistgaveavoicetothethoughtswhichthesightofthepicturehadawakened。Heshookhisheadwithoutreply。
\"Tellme，\"saidNicot，abruptly，\"thatimposter，——Zanoni!——oh!I
havenowlearnedhisnameandquackeries，forsooth，——whatdidhesaytotheeofme？\"
\"Ofthee？Nothing；buttowarnmeagainstthydoctrines。\"
\"Aha!wasthatall？\"saidNicot。\"Heisanotableinventor，andsince，whenwemetlast，Iunmaskedhisdelusions，Ithoughthemightretaliatebysometaleofslander。\"
\"Unmaskedhisdelusions!——how？\"
\"Adullandlongstory:hewishedtoteachanolddotingfriendofminehissecretsofprolongedlifeandphilosophicalalchemy。
Iadvisetheetorenouncesodiscreditableanacquaintance。\"
WiththatNicotnoddedsignificantly，and，notwishingtobefurtherquestioned，wenthisway。
Glyndon\'smindatthatmomenthadescapedtohisart，andthecommentsandpresenceofNicothadbeennowelcomeinterruption。
HeturnedfromthelandscapeofSalvator，andhiseyefallingonaNativitybyCoreggio，thecontrastbetweenthetworanksofgeniusstruckhimasadiscovery。Thatexquisiterepose，thatperfectsenseofbeauty，thatstrengthwithouteffort，thatbreathingmoralofhighart，whichspeakstothemindthroughtheeye，andraisesthethoughts，bytheaidoftendernessandlove，totheregionsofaweandwonder，——ay!THATwasthetrueschool。
Hequittedthegallerywithreluctantstepsandinspiredideas；
hesoughthisownhome。Here，pleasednottofindthesoberMervale，heleanedhisfaceonhishands，andendeavouredtorecallthewordsofZanoniintheirlastmeeting。Yes，hefeltNicot\'stalkevenonartwascrime；itdebasedtheimaginationitselftomechanism。Couldhe，whosawnothinginthesoulbutacombinationofmatter，prateofschoolsthatshouldexcelaRaphael？Yes，artwasmagic；andasheownedthetruthoftheaphorism，hecouldcomprehendthatinmagictheremaybereligion，forreligionisanessentialtoart。Hisoldambition，freeingitselffromthefrigidprudencewithwhichMervalesoughttodesecrateallimageslesssubstantialthanthegoldencalfoftheworld，revived，andstirred，andkindled。Thesubtledetectionofwhatheconceivedtobeanerrorintheschoolhehadhithertoadopted，mademoremanifesttohimbythegrinningcommentaryofNicot，seemedtoopentohimanewworldofinvention。Heseizedthehappymoment，——heplacedbeforehimthecoloursandthecanvas。Lostinhisconceptionsofafreshideal，hismindwasliftedaloftintotheairyrealmsofbeauty；
darkthoughts，unhalloweddesires，vanished。Zanoniwasright:
thematerialworldshrunkfromhisgaze；heviewedNatureasfromamountain-topafar；andasthewavesofhisunquietheartbecamecalmandstill，againtheangeleyesofViolabeamedonthemasaholystar。
Lockinghimselfinhischamber，herefusedeventhevisitsofMervale。Intoxicatedwiththepureairofhisfreshexistence，heremainedforthreedays，andalmostnights，absorbedinhisemployment；butonthefourthmorningcamethatreactiontowhichalllabourisexposed。Hewokelistlessandfatigued；andashecasthiseyesonthecanvas，thegloryseemedtohavegonefromit。Humiliatingrecollectionsofthegreatmastersheaspiredtorivalforcedthemselvesuponhim；defectsbeforeunseenmagnifiedthemselvestodeformitiesinhislanguidanddiscontentedeyes。
Hetouchedandretouched，buthishandfailedhim；hethrewdownhisinstrumentsindespair；heopenedhiscasement:thedaywithoutwasbrightandlovely；thestreetwascrowdedwiththatlifewhichiseversojoyousandaffluentintheanimatedpopulationofNaples。Hesawthelover，ashepassed，conversingwithhismistressbythosemutegestureswhichhavesurvivedallchangesoflanguages，thesamenowaswhentheEtruscanpaintedyonvasesintheMuseoBorbonico。Lightfromwithoutbeckonedhisyouthtoitsmirthanditspleasures；andthedullwallswithin，latelylargeenoughtocompriseheavenandearth，seemednowcabinedandconfinedasafelon\'sprison。HewelcomedthestepofMervaleathisthreshold，andunbarredthedoor。
\"Andisthatallyouhavedone？\"saidMervale，glancingdisdainfullyatthecanvas。\"IsitforthisthatyouhaveshutyourselfoutfromthesunnydaysandmoonlitnightsofNaples？\"
\"Whilethefitwasonme，Ibaskedinabrightersun，andimbibedthevoluptuousluxuryofasoftermoon。\"
\"Youownthatthefitisover。Well，thatissomesignofreturningsense。Afterall，itisbettertodaubcanvasforthreedaysthanmakeafoolofyourselfforlife。Thislittlesiren？\"
\"Bedumb!Ihatetohearyounameher。\"
MervaledrewhischairnearertoGlyndon\'s，thrusthishandsdeepinhisbreeches-pockets，stretchedhislegs，andwasabouttobeginaseriousstrainofexpostulation，whenaknockwasheardatthedoor，andNicot，withoutwaitingforleave，obtrudedhisuglyhead。
\"Good-day，moncherconfrere。Iwishedtospeaktoyou。Hein!
youhavebeenatwork，Isee。Thisiswell，——verywell!Aboldoutline，——greatfreedominthatrighthand。But，hold!isthecompositiongood？Youhavenotgotthegreatpyramidalform。
Don\'tyouthink，too，thatyouhavelosttheadvantageofcontrastinthisfigure；sincetherightlegisputforward，surelytherightarmshouldbeputback？Peste!butthatlittlefingerisveryfine!\"
MervaledetestedNicot。Forallspeculators，Utopians，alterersoftheworld，andwanderersfromthehighroad，wereequallyhatefultohim；buthecouldhavehuggedtheFrenchmanatthatmoment。HesawinGlyndon\'sexpressivecountenanceallthewearinessanddisgustheendured。Aftersowrappedastudy，tobepratedtoaboutpyramidalformsandrightarmsandrightlegs，theaccidenceoftheart，thewholeconceptiontobeoverlooked，andthecriticismtoendinapprovalofthelittlefinger!
\"Oh，\"saidGlyndon，peevishly，throwingtheclothoverhisdesign，\"enoughofmypoorperformance。Whatisityouhavetosaytome？\"
\"Inthefirstplace，\"saidNicot，huddlinghimselftogetheruponastool，——\"inthefirstplace，thisSignorZanoni，——thissecondCagliostro，——whodisputesmydoctrines!nodoubtaspyofthemanCapetIamnotvindictive；asHelvetiussays，\'ourerrorsarisefromourpassions。\'Ikeepmineinorder；butitisvirtuoustohateinthecauseofmankind；IwouldIhadthedenouncingandthejudgingofSignorZanoniatParis。\"AndNicot\'ssmalleyesshotfire，andhegnashedhisteeth。
\"Haveyouanynewcausetohatehim？\"
\"Yes，\"saidNicot，fiercely。\"Yes，IhearheiscourtingthegirlImeantomarry。\"
\"You!Whomdoyouspeakof？\"
\"ThecelebratedPisani!Sheisdivinelyhandsome。Shewouldmakemyfortuneinarepublic。Andarepublicweshallhavebeforetheyearisout。\"
Mervalerubbedhishands，andchuckled。Glyndoncolouredwithrageandshame。
\"DoyouknowtheSignoraPisani？Haveyoueverspokentoher？\"
\"Notyet。ButwhenImakeupmymindtoanything，itissoondone。IamabouttoreturntoParis。Theywritemewordthatahandsomewifeadvancesthecareerofapatriot。Theageofprejudiceisover。Thesublimervirtuesbegintobeunderstood。
IshalltakebackthehandsomestwifeinEurope。\"
\"Bequiet!Whatareyouabout？\"saidMervale，seizingGlyndonashesawhimadvancetowardstheFrenchman，hiseyessparkling，andhishandsclenched。
\"Sir!\"saidGlyndon，betweenhisteeth，\"youknownotofwhomyouthusspeak。DoyouaffecttosupposethatViolaPisaniwouldacceptYOU？\"
\"Notifshecouldgetabetteroffer，\"saidMervale，lookinguptotheceiling。
\"Abetteroffer？Youdon\'tunderstandme，\"saidNicot。\"I，JeanNicot，proposetomarrythegirl；marryher!Othersmaymakehermoreliberaloffers，butnoone，Iapprehend，wouldmakeonesohonourable。Ialonehavepityonherfriendlesssituation。
Besides，accordingtothedawningstateofthings，onewillalways，inFrance，beabletogetridofawifewheneveronewishes。Weshallhavenewlawsofdivorce。DoyouimaginethatanItaliangirl——andinnocountryintheworldaremaidens，itseems，morechastethoughwivesmayconsolethemselveswithvirtuesmorephilosophical——wouldrefusethehandofanartistforthesettlementsofaprince？No；IthinkbetterofthePisanithanyoudo。Ishallhastentointroducemyselftoher。\"
\"Iwishyouallsuccess，MonsieurNicot，\"saidMervale，rising，andshakinghimheartilybythehand。
Glyndoncastatthembothadisdainfulglance。
\"Perhaps，MonsieurNicot，\"saidhe，atlength，constraininghislipsintoabittersmile，——\"perhapsyoumayhaverivals。\"
\"Somuchthebetter，\"repliedMonsieurNicot，carelessly，kickinghisheelstogether，andappearingabsorbedinadmirationatthesizeofhislargefeet。
\"ImyselfadmireViolaPisani。\"
\"Everypaintermust!\"
\"Imayofferhermarriageaswellasyourself。\"
\"Thatwouldbefollyinyou，thoughwisdominme。Youwouldnotknowhowtodrawprofitfromthespeculation!Cherconfrere，youhaveprejudices。\"
\"Youdonotdaretosayyouwouldmakeprofitfromyourownwife？\"
\"ThevirtuousCatolenthiswifetoafriend。Ilovevirtue，andIcannotdobetterthanimitateCato。Buttobeserious，——Idonotfearyouasarival。Youaregood-looking，andIamugly。
Butyouareirresolute，andIdecisive。Whileyouareutteringfinephrases，Ishallsay，simply，\'Ihaveabonetat。Willyoumarryme？\'Sodoyourworst，cherconfrere。Aurevoir，behindthescenes!\"
Sosaying，Nicotrose，stretchedhislongarmsandshortlegs，yawnedtillheshowedallhisraggedteethfromeartoear，presseddownhiscaponhisshaggyheadwithanairofdefiance，andcastingoverhisleftshoulderaglanceoftriumphandmaliceattheindignantGlyndon，saunteredoutoftheroom。
Mervaleburstintoaviolentfitoflaughter。\"SeehowyourViolaisestimatedbyyourfriend。Afinevictory，tocarryherofffromtheugliestdogbetweenLaplandandtheCalmucks。\"
Glyndonwasyettooindignanttoanswer，whenanewvisitorarrived。ItwasZanonihimself。Mervale，onwhomtheappearanceandaspectofthispersonageimposedakindofreluctantdeference，whichhewasunwillingtoacknowledge，andstillmoretobetray，noddedtoGlyndon，andsaying，simply，\"MorewhenI
seeyouagain，\"leftthepainterandhisunexpectedvisitor。
\"Isee，\"saidZanoni，liftingtheclothfromthecanvas，\"thatyouhavenotslightedtheadviceIgaveyou。Courage，youngartist；thisisanescapefromtheschools:thisisfulloftheboldself-confidenceofrealgenius。YouhadnoNicot——noMervale——atyourelbowwhenthisimageoftruebeautywasconceived!\"
Charmedbacktohisartbythisunlooked-forpraise，Glyndonrepliedmodestly，\"Ithoughtwellofmydesigntillthismorning；
andthenIwasdisenchantedofmyhappypersuasion。\"
\"Say，rather，that，unaccustomedtocontinuouslabour，youwerefatiguedwithyouremployment。\"
\"Thatistrue。ShallIconfessit？Ibegantomisstheworldwithout。Itseemedtomeasif，whileIlavishedmyheartandmyyouthuponvisionsofbeauty，Iwaslosingthebeautifulrealitiesofactuallife。AndIenviedthemerryfisherman，singingashepassedbelowmycasement，andtheloverconversingwithhismistress。\"
\"And，\"saidZanoni，withanencouragingsmile，\"doyoublameyourselfforthenaturalandnecessaryreturntoearth，inwhicheventhemosthabitualvisitoroftheHeavensofInventionseekshisrelaxationandrepose？Man\'sgeniusisabirdthatcannotbealwaysonthewing；whenthecravingfortheactualworldisfelt，itisahungerthatmustbeappeased。Theywhocommandbesttheideal，enjoyevermostthereal。Seethetrueartist，whenabroadinmen\'sthoroughfares，everobservant，everdivingintotheheart，everalivetotheleastastothegreatestofthecomplicatedtruthsofexistence；descendingtowhatpedantswouldcallthetrivialandthefrivolous。Fromeverymeshinthesocialweb，hecandisentangleagrace。Andforhimeachairygossamerfloatsinthegoldofthesunlight。Knowyounotthataroundtheanimalculethatsportsinthewaterthereshinesahalo，asaroundthestarThemonasmica，foundinthepurestpools，isencompassedwithahalo。Andthisisfrequentamongstmanyotherspeciesofanimalcule。thatrevolvesinbrightpastimethroughthespace？Trueartfindsbeautyeverywhere。Inthestreet，inthemarket-place，inthehovel，itgathersfoodforthehiveofitsthoughts。Inthemireofpolitics，DanteandMiltonselectedpearlsforthewreathofsong。
\"WhoevertoldyouthatRaphaeldidnotenjoythelifewithout，carryingeverywherewithhimtheoneinwardideaofbeautywhichattractedandimbeddedinitsownambereverystrawthatthefeetofthedullmantrampledintomud？Assomelordoftheforestwandersabroadforitsprey，andscentsandfollowsitoverplainandhill，throughbrakeandjungle，but，seizingitatlast，bearsthequarrytoitsunwitnessedcave，——soGeniussearchesthroughwoodandwaste，untiringlyandeagerly，everysenseawake，everynervestrainedtospeedandstrength，forthescatteredandflyingimagesofmatter，thatitseizesatlastwithitsmightytalons，andbearsawaywithitintosolitudesnofootstepcaninvade。Go，seektheworldwithout；itisforarttheinexhaustiblepasture-groundandharvesttotheworldwithin!\"
\"Youcomfortme，\"saidGlyndon，brightening。\"Ihadimaginedmywearinessaproofofmydeficiency!ButnotnowwouldIspeaktoyouoftheselabours。Pardonme，ifIpassfromthetoiltothereward。Youhaveuttereddimpropheciesofmyfuture，ifIwedonewho，inthejudgmentofthesoberworld，wouldonlydarkenitsprospectsandobstructitsambition。Doyouspeakfromthewisdomwhichisexperience，orthatwhichaspirestoprediction？\"
\"Aretheynotallied？Isitnothebestaccustomedtocalculationwhocansolveataglanceanynewprobleminthearithmeticofchances？\"
\"Youevademyquestion。\"
\"No；butIwilladaptmyanswerthebettertoyourcomprehension，foritisuponthisverypointthatIhavesoughtyou。Listentome!\"Zanonifixedhiseyesearnestlyonhislistener，andcontinued:\"Fortheaccomplishmentofwhateverisgreatandlofty，theclearperceptionoftruthsisthefirstrequisite，——
truthsadaptedtotheobjectdesired。Thewarriorthusreducesthechancesofbattletocombinationsalmostofmathematics。Hecanpredictaresult，ifhecanbutdependuponthematerialsheisforcedtoemploy。Atsuchalosshecancrossthatbridge；insuchatimehecanreducethatfort。Stillmoreaccurately，forhedependslessonmaterialcausesthanideasathiscommand，canthecommanderofthepurerscienceordivinerart，ifheonceperceivethetruthsthatareinhimandaround，foretellwhathecanachieve，andinwhatheiscondemnedtofail。Butthisperceptionoftruthsisdisturbedbymanycauses，——vanity，passion，fear，indolenceinhimself，ignoranceofthefittingmeanswithouttoaccomplishwhathedesigns。Hemaymiscalculatehisownforces；hemayhavenochartofthecountryhewouldinvade。Itisonlyinapeculiarstateofthemindthatitiscapableofperceivingtruth；andthatstateisprofoundserenity。
Yourmindisfeveredbyadesirefortruth:youwouldcompelittoyourembraces；youwouldaskmetoimparttoyou，withoutordealorpreparation，thegrandestsecretsthatexistinNature。
Buttruthcannomorebeseenbythemindunpreparedforit，thanthesuncandawnuponthemidstofnight。Suchamindreceivestruthonlytopolluteit:tousethesimileofonewhohaswanderedneartothesecretofthesublimeGoetiaorthemagicthatlieswithinNature，aselectricitywithinthecloud，\'Hewhopourswaterintothemuddywell，doesbutdisturbthemud。\'\"
\"Iamb。deVit。Pythag。\"
\"Whatdoyoutendto？\"
\"This:thatyouhavefacultiesthatmayattaintosurpassingpower，thatmayrankyouamongthoseenchanterswho，greaterthanthemagian，leavebehindthemanenduringinfluence，worshippedwhereverbeautyiscomprehended，whereverthesoulissensibleofahigherworldthanthatinwhichmatterstrugglesforcrudeandincompleteexistence。
\"Buttomakeavailablethosefaculties，needIbeaprophettotellyouthatyoumustlearntoconcentreupongreatobjectsallyourdesires？Theheartmustrest，thatthemindmaybeactive。
Atpresentyouwanderfromaimtoaim。Astheballasttotheship，sotothespiritarefaithandlove。Withyourwholeheart，affections，humanity，centredinoneobject，yourmindandaspirationswillbecomeequallysteadfastandinearnest。Violaisachildasyet；youdonotperceivethehighnaturethetrialsoflifewilldevelop。Pardonme，ifIsaythathersoul，purerandloftierthanyourown，willbearitupward，asasecrethymncarriesaloftthespiritsoftheworld。Yournaturewantstheharmony，themusicwhich，asthePythagoreanswiselytaught，atonceelevatesandsoothes。Iofferyouthatmusicinherlove。\"
\"ButamIsurethatshedoesloveme？\"
\"Artist，no；shelovesyounotatpresent；heraffectionsarefullofanother。ButifIcouldtransfertoyou，astheloadstonetransfersitsattractiontothemagnet，thelovethatshehasnowforme，——ifIcouldcausehertoseeinyoutheidealofherdreams——\"
\"Issuchagiftinthepowerofman？\"
\"Iofferittoyou，ifyourlovebelawful，ifyourfaithinvirtueandyourselfbedeepandloyal；ifnot，thinkyouthatI
woulddisenchantherwithtruthtomakeheradoreafalsehood？\"
\"Butif，\"persistedGlyndon，——\"ifshebeallthatyoutellme，andifsheloveyou，howcanyourobyourselfofsopricelessatreasure？\"
\"Oh，shallowandmeanheartofman!\"exclaimedZanoni，withunaccustomedpassionandvehemence，\"dostthouconceivesolittleofloveasnottoknowthatitsacrificesall——loveitself——forthehappinessofthethingitloves？Hearme!\"AndZanoni\'sfacegrewpale。\"Hearme!Ipressthisuponyou，becauseIloveher，andbecauseIfearthatwithmeherfatewillbelessfairthanwithyourself。Why，——asknot，forIwillnottellyou。
Enough!Timepressesnowforyouranswer；itcannotlongbedelayed。Beforethenightofthethirddayfromthis，allchoicewillbeforbidyou!\"
\"But，\"saidGlyndon，stilldoubtingandsuspicious，——\"butwhythishaste？\"
\"Man，youarenotworthyofherwhenyouaskme。AllIcantellyouhere，youshouldhaveknownyourself。Thisravisher，thismanofwill，thissonoftheoldVisconti，unlikeyou，——
steadfast，resolute，earnesteveninhiscrimes，——neverrelinquishesanobject。Butonepassioncontrolshislust，——itishisavarice。ThedayafterhisattemptonViola，hisuncle，theCardinal——，fromwhomhehaslargeexpectationsoflandandgold，sentforhim，andforbadehim，onpainofforfeitingallthepossessionswhichhisschemesalreadyhadparcelledout，topursuewithdishonourabledesignsonewhomtheCardinalhadheededandlovedfromchildhood。Thisisthecauseofhispresentpausefromhispursuit。Whilewespeak，thecauseexpires。Beforethehandoftheclockreachesthehourofnoon，theCardinal——willbenomore。Atthisverymomentthyfriend，JeanNicot，iswiththePrincedi。\"
\"He!wherefore？\"
\"ToaskwhatdowershallgowithViolaPisani，themorningthatsheleavesthepalaceoftheprince。\"
\"Andhowdoyouknowallthis？\"
\"Fool!Itelltheeagain，becausealoverisawatcherbynightandday；becauseloveneversleepswhendangermenacesthebelovedone!\"
\"AndyouitwasthatinformedtheCardinal——？\"
\"Yes；andwhathasbeenmytaskmightaseasilyhavebeenthine。
Speak，——thineanswer!\"
\"Youshallhaveitonthethirddayfromthis。\"
\"Beitso。Putoff，poorwaverer，thyhappinesstothelasthour。Onthethirddayfromthis，Iwillasktheethyresolve。\"
\"Andwhereshallwemeet？\"
\"Beforemidnight，whereyoumayleastexpectme。Youcannotshunme，thoughyoumayseektodoso!\"
\"Stayonemoment!Youcondemnmeasdoubtful，irresolute，suspicious。HaveInocause？CanIyieldwithoutastruggletothestrangefascinationyouexertuponmymind？Whatinterestcanyouhaveinme，astranger，thatyoushouldthusdictatetomethegravestactioninthelifeofman？Doyousupposethatanyoneinhissenseswouldnotpause，anddeliberate，andaskhimself，\'Whyshouldthisstrangercarethusforme？\'\"
\"Andyet，\"saidZanoni，\"ifItoldtheethatIcouldinitiatetheeintothesecretsofthatmagicwhichthephilosophyofthewholeexistingworldtreatsasachimera，orimposture；ifI
promisedtoshowtheehowtocommandthebeingsofairandocean，howtoaccumulatewealthmoreeasilythanachildcangatherpebblesontheshore，toplaceinthyhandstheessenceoftheherbswhichprolonglifefromagetoage，themysteryofthatattractionbywhichtoawealldangeranddisarmallviolenceandsubduemanastheserpentcharmsthebird，——ifItoldtheethatalltheseitwasminetopossessandtocommunicate，thouwouldstlistentomethen，andobeymewithoutadoubt!\"
\"Itistrue；andIcanaccountforthisonlybytheimperfectassociationsofmychildhood，——bytraditionsinourhouseof——\"
\"Yourforefather，who，intherevivalofscience，soughtthesecretsofApolloniusandParacelsus。\"
\"What!\"saidGlyndon，amazed，\"areyousowellacquaintedwiththeannalsofanobscurelineage？\"
\"Tothemanwhoaspirestoknow，nomanwhohasbeenthemeaneststudentofknowledgeshouldbeunknown。YouaskmewhyIhaveshownthisinterestinyourfate？ThereisonereasonwhichI
havenotyettoldyou。Thereisafraternityastowhoselawsandwhosemysteriesthemostinquisitiveschoolmenareinthedark。Bythoselawsallarepledgedtowarn，toaid，andtoguideeventheremotestdescendantsofmenwhohavetoiled，thoughvainly，likeyourancestor，inthemysteriesoftheOrder。
Weareboundtoadvisethemtotheirwelfare；nay，more，——iftheycommandustoit，wemustacceptthemasourpupils。Iamasurvivorofthatmostancientandimmemorialunion。Thisitwasthatboundmetotheeatthefirst；this，perhaps，attractedthyselfunconsciously，SonofourBrotherhood，tome。\"
\"Ifthisbeso，Icommandthee，inthenameofthelawsthouobeyest，toreceivemeasthypupil!\"
\"Whatdoyouask？\"saidZanoni，passionately。\"Learn，first，theconditions。Noneophytemusthave，athisinitiation，oneaffectionordesirethatchainshimtotheworld。Hemustbepurefromtheloveofwoman，freefromavariceandambition，freefromthedreamsevenofart，orthehopeofearthlyfame。Thefirstsacrificethoumustmakeis——Violaherself。Andforwhat？
Foranordealthatthemostdaringcourageonlycanencounter，themostetherealnaturesalonesurvive!Thouartunfitforthesciencethathasmademeandotherswhatweareorhavebeen；forthywholenatureisonefear!\"
\"Fear!\"criedGlyndon，colouringwithresentment，andrisingtothefullheightofhisstature。
\"Fear!andtheworstfear，——fearoftheworld\'sopinion；fearoftheNicotsandtheMervales；fearofthineownimpulseswhenmostgenerous；fearofthineownpowerswhenthygeniusismostbold；
fearthatvirtueisnoteternal；fearthatGoddoesnotliveinheaventokeepwatchonearth；fear，thefearoflittlemen；andthatfearisneverknowntothegreat。\"
WiththesewordsZanoniabruptlylefttheartist，humbled，bewildered，andnotconvinced。Heremainedalonewithhisthoughtstillhewasarousedbythestrikingoftheclock；hethensuddenlyrememberedZanoni\'spredictionoftheCardinal\'sdeath；and，seizedwithanintensedesiretolearnitstruth，hehurriedintothestreets，——hegainedtheCardinal\'spalace。FiveminutesbeforenoonhisEminencehadexpired，afteranillnessoflessthananhour。Zanoni\'svisithadoccupiedmoretimethantheillnessoftheCardinal。Awedandperplexed，heturnedfromthepalace，andashewalkedthroughtheChiaja，hesawJeanNicotemergefromtheportalsofthePrincedi。
CHAPTER3。V。
TwolovesIhaveofcomfortanddespair，Whichliketwospiritsdosuggestmestill。
Shakespeare。
VenerableBrotherhood，sosacredandsolittleknown，fromwhosesecretandpreciousarchivesthematerialsforthishistoryhavebeendrawn；yewhohaveretained，fromcenturytocentury，allthattimehassparedoftheaugustandvenerablescience，——thankstoyou，ifnow，forthefirsttime，somerecordofthethoughtsandactionsofnofalseandself-styledluminaryofyourOrderbegiven，howeverimperfectly，totheworld。Manyhavecalledthemselvesofyourband；manyspuriouspretendershavebeenso-calledbythelearnedignorancewhichstill，baffledandperplexed，isdriventoconfessthatitknowsnothingofyourorigin，yourceremoniesordoctrines，norevenifyoustillhavelocalhabitationontheearth。ThankstoyouifI，theonlyoneofmycountry，inthisage，admitted，withaprofanefootstep，intoyourmysteriousAcademeThereaderwillhavethegoodnesstorememberthatthisissaidbytheauthoroftheoriginalMS。，notbytheeditor。，havebeenbyyouempoweredandinstructedtoadapttothecomprehensionoftheuninitiated，somefewofthestarrytruthswhichshoneonthegreatShemaiaoftheChaldeanLore，andgleameddimlythroughthedarkenedknowledgeoflatterdisciples，labouring，likePsellusandIamblichus，torevivetheembersofthefirewhichburnedintheHamarinoftheEast。
ThoughnottousofanagedandhoaryworldisvouchsafedtheNAMEwhich，sosaytheearliestoraclesoftheearth，\"rushesintotheinfiniteworlds，\"yetisitourstotracetherevivingtruths，througheachnewdiscoveryofthephilosopherandchemist。Thelawsofattraction，ofelectricity，andoftheyetmoremysteriousagencyofthatgreatprincipaloflife，which，ifdrawnfromtheuniverse，wouldleavetheuniverseagrave，werebutthecodeinwhichtheTheurgyofoldsoughttheguidesthatledittoalegislationandscienceofitsown。Torebuildonwordsthefragmentsofthishistory，itseemstomeasif，inasolemntrance，Iwasledthroughtheruinsofacitywhoseonlyremainsweretombs。FromthesarcophagusandtheurnIawakethegeniusTheGreekGeniusofDeath。oftheextinguishedTorch，andsocloselydoesitsshaperesembleEros，thatatmomentsI
scarcelyknowwhichofyedictatestome，——OLove!ODeath!
Anditstirredinthevirgin\'sheart，——thisnew，unfathomable，anddivineemotion!Wasitonlytheordinaryaffectionofthepulseandthefancy，oftheeyetotheBeautiful，oftheeartotheEloquent，ordiditnotjustifythenotionsheherselfconceivedofit，——thatitwasbornnotofthesenses，thatitwaslessofearthlyandhumanlovethantheeffectofsomewondrousbutnotunholycharm？Isaidthat，fromthatdayinwhich，nolongerwithaweandtrembling，shesurrenderedherselftotheinfluenceofZanoni，shehadsoughttoputherthoughtsintowords。Letthethoughtsattesttheirownnature。
THESELFCONFESSIONAL。
\"Isitthedaylightthatshinesonme，orthememoryofthypresence？WhereverIlook，theworldseemsfullofthee；ineveryraythattremblesonthewater，thatsmilesupontheleaves，Ibeholdbutalikenesstothineeyes。Whatisthischange，thataltersnotonlymyself，butthefaceofthewholeuniverse？……
Howinstantaneouslyleapedintolifethepowerwithwhichthouswayestmyheartinitsebbandflow。Thousandswerearoundme，andIsawbutthee。ThatwasthenightinwhichIfirstenteredupontheworldwhichcrowdslifeintoadrama，andhasnolanguagebutmusic。Howstrangelyandhowsuddenlywiththeebecamethatworldevermoreconnected!Whatthedelusionofthestagewastoothers，thypresencewastome。Mylife，too，seemedtocentreintothoseshorthours，andfromthylipsI
heardamusic，mutetoallearsbutmine。Isitintheroomwheremyfatherdwelt。Here，onthathappynight，forgettingwhyTHEYweresohappy，Ishrunkintotheshadow，andsoughttoguesswhatthouwerttome；andmymother\'slowvoicewokeme，andI
crepttomyfather\'sside，close——close，fromfearofmyownthoughts。
\"Ah!sweetandsadwasthemorrowtothatnight，whenthylipswarnedmeofthefuture。Anorphannow，——whatistherethatlivesformetothinkof，todreamupon，torevere，butthou!
\"Howtenderlythouhastrebukedmeforthegrievouswrongthatmythoughtsdidthee!WhyshouldIhaveshudderedtofeeltheeglancinguponmythoughtslikethebeamonthesolitarytree，towhichthoudidstoncelikenmesowell？Itwas——itwas，that，likethetree，Istruggledforthelight，andthelightcame。
Theytellmeoflove，andmyverylifeofthestagebreathesthelanguageofloveintomylips。No；againandagain，IknowTHAT
isnotthelovethatIfeelforthee!——itisnotapassion，itisathought!Iasknottobelovedagain。Imurmurnotthatthywordsaresternandthylooksarecold。IasknotifIhaverivals；Isighnottobefairinthineeyes。ItismySPIRIT
thatwouldblenditselfwiththine。Iwouldgiveworlds，thoughwewereapart，thoughoceansrolledbetweenus，toknowthehourinwhichthygazewasliftedtothestars，——inwhichthyheartpoureditselfinprayer。Theytellmethouartmorebeautifulthanthemarbleimagesthatarefairerthanallhumanforms；butIhaveneverdaredtogazesteadfastlyonthyface，thatmemorymightcomparetheewiththerest。Onlythineeyesandthysoft，calmsmilehauntme；aswhenIlookuponthemoon，allthatpassesintomyheartishersilentlight……
\"Often，whentheairiscalm，IhavethoughtthatIhearthestrainsofmyfather\'smusic；often，thoughlongstilledinthegrave，havetheywakedmefromthedreamsofthesolemnnight。
Methinks，erethoucomesttomethatIhearthemheraldthyapproach。MethinksIhearthemwailandmoan，whenIsinkbackintomyselfonseeingtheedepart。ThouartOFthatmusic，——itsspirit，itsgenius。Myfathermusthaveguessedattheeandthynativeregions，whenthewindshushedtolistentohistones，andtheworlddeemedhimmad!IhearwhereIsit，thefarmurmurofthesea。Murmuron，yeblessedwaters!Thewavesarethepulsesoftheshore。Theybeatwiththegladnessofthemorningwind，——
sobeatsmyheartinthefreshnessandlightthatmakeupthethoughtsofthee!……
\"OfteninmychildhoodIhavemusedandaskedforwhatIwasborn；andmysoulansweredmyheartandsaid，\'THOUWERTBORNTO
WORSHIP!\'Yes；Iknowwhytherealworldhaseverseemedtomesofalseandcold。Iknowwhytheworldofthestagecharmedanddazzledme。Iknowwhyitwassosweettositapartandgazemywholebeingintothedistantheavens。Mynatureisnotformedforthislife，happythoughthatlifeseemtoothers。Itisitsverywanttohaveeverbeforeitsomeimageloftierthanitself!
Stranger，inwhatrealmabove，whenthegraveispast，shallmysoul，hourafterhour，worshipatthesamesourceasthine？……
\"Inthegardensofmyneighbourthereisasmallfountain。I
stoodbyitthismorningaftersunrise。Howitsprungup，withitseagerspray，tothesunbeams!AndthenIthoughtthatI
shouldseetheeagainthisday，andsosprungmyhearttothenewmorningwhichthoubringestmefromtheskies……
\"IHAVEseen，IhaveLISTENEDtotheeagain。HowboldIhavebecome!Iranonwithmychildlikethoughtsandstories，myrecollectionsofthepast，asifIhadknowntheefromaninfant。
Suddenlytheideaofmypresumptionstruckme。Istopped，andtimidlysoughtthineeyes。
\"\'Well，andwhenyoufoundthatthenightingalerefusedtosing？\'——
\"\'Ah!\'Isaid，\'whattotheethishistoryoftheheartofachild？\'
\"\'Viola，\'didstthouanswer，withthatvoice，soinexpressiblycalmandearnest!——\'Viola，thedarknessofachild\'sheartisoftenbuttheshadowofastar。Speakon!Andthynightingale，whentheycaughtandcagedit，refusedtosing？\'
\"\'AndIplacedthecageyonder，amidstthevine-leaves，andtookupmylute，andspoketoitonthestrings；forIthoughtthatallmusicwasitsnativelanguage，anditwouldunderstandthatI
soughttocomfortit。\'
\"\'Yes，\'saidstthou。\'Andatlastitansweredthee，butnotwithsong，——inasharp，briefcry；somournful，thatthyhandsletfallthelute，andthetearsgushedfromthineeyes。Sosoftlydidstthouunbarthecage，andthenightingaleflewintoyonderthicket；andthouheardstthefoliagerustle，and，lookingthroughthemoonlight，thineeyessawthatithadfounditsmate。
Itsangtotheethenfromtheboughsalong，loud，joyousjubilee。Andmusing，thoudidstfeelthatitwasnotthevine-
leavesorthemoonlightthatmadethebirdgivemelodytonight，andthatthesecretofitsmusicwasthepresenceofathingbeloved。\'
\"HowdidstthouknowmythoughtsinthatchildliketimebetterthanIknewmyself!Howisthehumblelifeofmypastyears，withitsmeanevents，somysteriouslyfamiliartothee，brightstranger!Iwonder，——butIdonotagaindaretofearthee!……
\"Oncethethoughtofhimoppressedandweighedmedown。Asaninfantthatlongsforthemoon，mybeingwasonevaguedesireforsomethingnevertobeattained。NowIfeelratherasiftothinkoftheesufficedtoremoveeveryfetterfrommyspirit。Ifloatinthestillseasoflight，andnothingseemstoohighformywings，toogloriousformyeyes。Itwasmineignorancethatmademefearthee。Aknowledgethatisnotinbooksseemstobreathearoundtheeasanatmosphere。HowlittlehaveIread!——howlittlehaveIlearned!Yetwhenthouartbymyside，itseemsasiftheveilwereliftedfromallwisdomandallNature。I
startlewhenIlookevenatthewordsIhavewritten；theyseemnottocomefrommyself，butarethesignsofanotherlanguagewhichthouhasttaughtmyheart，andwhichmyhandtracesrapidly，asatthydictation。Sometimes，whileIwriteormuse，IcouldfancythatIheardlightwingshoveringaroundme，andsawdimshapesofbeautyfloatinground，andvanishingastheysmileduponme。Nounquietandfearfuldreamevercomestomenowinsleep，yetsleepandwakingarealikebutasonedream。
InsleepIwanderwiththee，notthroughthepathsofearth，butthroughimpalpableair——anairwhichseemsamusic——upwardandupward，asthesoulmountsonthetonesofalyre!TillIknewthee，Iwasasaslavetotheearth。Thouhastgiventomethelibertyoftheuniverse!Before，itwaslife；itseemstomenowasifIhadcommencedeternity!