SuchmadeasmallpartofthenumerousconversationsMejnourheldwithhispupil，——conversationsthat，whiletheyappearedtoaddressthemselvestothereason，inflamedyetmorethefancy。
ItwastheverydisclaimingofallpowerswhichNature，properlyinvestigated，didnotsufficetocreate，thatgaveanairofprobabilitytothosewhichMejnourassertedNaturemightbestow。
Thusdaysandweeksrolledon；andthemindofGlyndon，graduallyfittedtothissequesteredandmusinglife，forgotatlastthevanitiesandchimerasoftheworldwithout。
Oneeveninghehadlingeredaloneandlateupontheramparts，watchingthestarsas，onebyone，theybrokeuponthetwilight。
Neverhadhefeltsosensiblythemightypoweroftheheavensandtheearthuponman；howmuchthespringsofourintellectualbeingaremovedandacteduponbythesolemninfluencesofNature。Asapatientonwhom，slowlyandbydegrees，theagenciesofmesmerismarebroughttobear，heacknowledgedtohisheartthegrowingforceofthatvastanduniversalmagnetismwhichisthelifeofcreation，andbindstheatomtothewhole。
Astrangeandineffableconsciousnessofpower，oftheSOMETHING
GREATwithintheperishableclay，appealedtofeelingsatoncedimandglorious，——likethefaintrecognitionsofaholierandformerbeing。Animpulse，thathecouldnotresist，ledhimtoseekthemystic。Hewoulddemand，thathour，hisinitiationintotheworldsbeyondourworld，——hewaspreparedtobreatheadivinerair。Heenteredthecastle，andstrodetheshadowyandstarlitgallerywhichconductedtoMejnour\'sapartment。
CHAPTER4。III。
Manistheeyeofthings——Euryph，\"deVit。Hum。\"……Thereis，therefore，acertainecstaticalortransportingpower，which，ifatanytimeitshallbeexcitedorstirredupbyanardentdesireandmoststrongimagination，isabletoconductthespiritofthemoreoutwardeventosomeabsentandfar-distantobject——VonHelmont。
TheroomsthatMejnouroccupiedconsistedoftwochamberscommunicatingwitheachother，andathirdinwhichheslept。
Alltheseroomswereplacedinthehugesquaretowerthatbeetledoverthedarkandbush-grownprecipice。ThefirstchamberwhichGlyndonenteredwasempty。Withanoiselessstephepassedon，andopenedthedoorthatadmittedintotheinnerone。Hedrewbackatthethreshold，overpoweredbyastrongfragrancewhichfilledthechamber:akindofmistthickenedtheairratherthanobscuredit，forthisvapourwasnotdark，butresembledasnow-
cloudmovingslowly，andinheavyundulations，waveuponwaveregularlyoverthespace。AmortalcoldstrucktotheEnglishman\'sheart，andhisbloodfroze。Hestoodrootedtothespot；andashiseyesstrainedinvoluntarilythroughthevapour，hefanciedforhecouldnotbesurethatitwasnotthetrickofhisimaginationthathesawdim，spectre-like，butgiganticformsfloatingthroughthemist；orwasitnotratherthemistitselfthatformeditsvapoursfantasticallyintothosemoving，impalpable，andbodilessapparitions？Agreatpainterofantiquityissaid，inapictureofHades，tohaverepresentedthemonstersthatglidethroughtheghostlyRiveroftheDead，soartfully，thattheeyeperceivedatoncethattheriveritselfwasbutaspectre，andthebloodlessthingsthattenantedithadnolife，theirformsblendingwiththedeadwaterstill，astheeyecontinuedtogaze，itceasedtodiscernthemfromthepreternaturalelementtheyweresupposedtoinhabit。Suchwerethemovingoutlinesthatcoiledandfloatedthroughthemist；butbeforeGlyndonhadevendrawnbreathinthisatmosphere——forhislifeitselfseemedarrestedorchangedintoakindofhorridtrance——hefelthishandseized，andhewasledfromthatroomintotheouterone。Heheardthedoorclose，——hisbloodrushedagainthroughhisveins，andhesawMejnourbyhisside。Strongconvulsionsthensuddenlyseizedhiswholeframe，——hefelltothegroundinsensible。Whenherecovered，hefoundhimselfintheopenairinarudebalconyofstonethatjuttedfromthechamber，thestarsshiningserenelyoverthedarkabyssbelow，andrestingcalmlyuponthefaceofthemystic，whostoodbesidehimwithfoldedarms。
\"Youngman，\"saidMejnour，\"judgebywhatyouhavejustfelt，howdangerousitistoseekknowledgeuntilpreparedtoreceiveit。
Anothermomentintheairofthatchamberandyouhadbeenacorpse。\"
\"Thenofwhatnaturewastheknowledgethatyou，oncemortallikemyself，couldsafelyhavesoughtinthaticyatmosphere，whichitwasdeathformetobreathe？Mejnour，\"continuedGlyndon，andhiswilddesire，sharpenedbytheverydangerhehadpassed，oncemoreanimatedandnervedhim，\"Iampreparedatleastforthefirststeps。IcometoyouasofoldthepupiltotheHierophant，anddemandtheinitiation。\"
Mejnourpassedhishandovertheyoungman\'sheart，——itbeatloud，regularly，andboldly。Helookedathimwithsomethingalmostlikeadmirationinhispassionlessandfrigidfeatures，andmuttered，halftohimself，\"Surely，insomuchcouragethetruediscipleisfoundatlast。\"Then，speakingaloud，headded，\"Beitso；man\'sfirstinitiationisinTRANCE。Indreamscommencesallhumanknowledge；indreamshoversovermeasurelessspacethefirstfaintbridgebetweenspiritandspirit，——thisworldandtheworldsbeyond!Looksteadfastlyonyonderstar!\"
Glyndonobeyed，andMejnourretiredintothechamber，fromwhichtherethenslowlyemergedavapour，somewhatpalerandoffainterodourthanthatwhichhadnearlyproducedsofatalaneffectonhisframe。This，onthecontrary，asitcoiledaroundhim，andthenmeltedinthinspiresintotheair，breathedarefreshingandhealthfulfragrance。Hestillkepthiseyesonthestar，andthestarseemedgraduallytofixandcommandhisgaze。Asortoflanguornextseizedhisframe，butwithout，ashethought，communicatingitselftothemind；andasthiscreptoverhim，hefelthistemplessprinkledwithsomevolatileandfieryessence。
Atthesamemomentaslighttremorshookhislimbsandthrilledthroughhisveins。Thelanguorincreased，stillhekepthisgazeuponthestar，andnowitsluminouscircumferenceseemedtoexpandanddilate。Itbecamegraduallysofterandclearerinitslight；spreadingwiderandbroader，itdiffusedallspace，——allspaceseemedswallowedupinit。Andatlast，inthemidstofasilvershiningatmosphere，hefeltasifsomethingburstwithinhisbrain，——asifastrongchainwerebroken；andatthatmomentasenseofheavenlyliberty，ofunutterabledelight，offreedomfromthebody，ofbirdlikelightness，seemedtofloathimintothespaceitself。\"Whom，nowuponearth，dostthouwishtosee？\"
whisperedthevoiceofMejnour。\"ViolaandZanoni!\"answeredGlyndon，inhisheart；buthefeltthathislipsmovednot。
Suddenlyatthatthought，——throughthisspace，inwhichnothingsaveonemellowtranslucentlighthadbeendiscernible，——aswiftsuccessionofshadowylandscapesseemedtoroll:trees，mountains，cities，seas，glidedalonglikethechangesofaphantasmagoria；andatlast，settledandstationary，hesawacavebythegradualmargeofanoceanshore，——myrtlesandorange-treesclothingthegentlebanks。Onaheight，atadistance，gleamedthewhitebutshatteredrelicsofsomeruinedheathenedifice；andthemoon，incalmsplendour，shiningoverall，literallybathedwithitslighttwoformswithoutthecave，atwhosefeetthebluewaterscrept，andhethoughtthatheevenheardthemmurmur。Herecognisedboththefigures。Zanoniwasseatedonafragmentofstone；Viola，half-recliningbyhisside，waslookingintohisface，whichwasbentdowntoher，andinhercountenancewastheexpressionofthatperfecthappinesswhichbelongstoperfectlove。\"Wouldstthouhearthemspeak？\"
whisperedMejnour；andagain，withoutsound，Glyndoninlyanswered，\"Yes!\"Theirvoicesthencametohisear，butintonesthatseemedtohimstrange；sosubduedwerethey，andsounding，asitwere，sofaroff，thattheywereasvoicesheardinthevisionsofsomeholiermenfromadistantsphere。
\"Andhowisit，\"saidViola，\"thatthoucanstfindpleasureinlisteningtotheignorant？\"
\"Becausetheheartisneverignorant；becausethemysteriesofthefeelingsareasfullofwonderasthoseoftheintellect。Ifattimesthoucanstnotcomprehendthelanguageofmythoughts，attimesalsoIhearsweetenigmasinthatofthyemotions。\"
\"Ah，saynotso!\"saidViola，windingherarmtenderlyroundhisneck，andunderthatheavenlylightherfaceseemedlovelierforitsblushes。\"Fortheenigmasarebutlove\'scommonlanguage，andloveshouldsolvethem。TillIknewthee，——tillIlivedwiththee；tillIlearnedtowatchforthyfootstepwhenabsent:yeteveninabsencetoseetheeeverywhere!——Idreamednothowstrongandall-pervadingistheconnectionbetweennatureandthehumansoul!……
\"Andyet，\"shecontinued，\"IamnowassuredofwhatIatfirstbelieved，——thatthefeelingswhichattractedmetowardstheeatfirstwerenotthoseoflove。IknowTHAT，bycomparingthepresentwiththepast，——itwasasentimentthenwhollyofthemindorthespirit!Icouldnotheartheenowsay，\'Viola，behappywithanother!\'\"
\"AndIcouldnotnowtelltheeso!Ah，Viola，neverbewearyofassuringmethatthouarthappy!\"
\"Happywhilethouartso。Yetattimes，Zanoni，thouartsosad!\"
\"Becausehumanlifeissoshort；becausewemustpartatlast；
becauseyonmoonshinesonwhenthenightingalesingstoitnomore!Alittlewhile，andthineeyeswillgrowdim，andthybeautyhaggard，andtheselocksthatItoywithnowwillbegreyandloveless。\"
\"Andthou，cruelone!\"saidViola，touchingly，\"Ishallneverseethesignsofageinthee!Butshallwenotgrowoldtogether，andoureyesbeaccustomedtoachangewhichtheheartshallnotshare!\"
Zanonisighed。Heturnedaway，andseemedtocommunewithhimself。
Glyndon\'sattentiongrewyetmoreearnest。
\"Butwereitso，\"mutteredZanoni；andthenlookingsteadfastlyatViola，hesaid，withahalf-smile，\"HastthounocuriositytolearnmoreoftheloverthouoncecouldstbelievetheagentoftheEvilOne？\"
\"None；allthatonewishestoknowofthebelovedone，Iknow——
THATTHOULOVESTME!\"
\"Ihavetoldtheethatmylifeisapartfromothers。Wouldstthounotseektoshareit？\"
\"Ishareitnow!\"
\"Butwereitpossibletobethusyoungandfairforever，tilltheworldblazesroundusasonefuneralpyre!\"
\"Weshallbeso，whenweleavetheworld!\"
Zanoniwasmuteforsomemoments，andatlengthhesaid，——
\"Canstthourecallthosebrilliantandaerialdreamswhichoncevisitedthee，whenthoudidstfancythatthouwertpreordainedtosomefatealoofandafarfromthecommonchildrenoftheearth？\"
\"Zanoni，thefateisfound。\"
\"Andhastthounoterrorofthefuture？\"
\"Thefuture!Iforgetit!Timepastandpresentandtocomereposesinthysmile。Ah，Zanoni，playnotwiththefoolishcredulitiesofmyyouth!Ihavebeenbetterandhumblersincethypresencehasdispelledthemistoftheair。Thefuture!——
well，whenIhavecausetodreadit，Iwilllookuptoheaven，andrememberwhoguidesourfate!\"
Assheliftedhereyesabove，adarkcloudsweptsuddenlyoverthescene。Itwrappedtheorange-trees，theazureocean，thedensesands；butstillthelastimagesthatitveiledfromthecharmedeyesofGlyndonweretheformsofViolaandZanoni。Thefaceoftheonerapt，serene，andradiant；thefaceoftheother，dark，thoughtful，andlockedinmorethanitsusualrigidnessofmelancholybeautyandprofoundrepose。
\"Rousethyself，\"saidMejnour；\"thyordealhascommenced!Therearepretenderstothesolemnsciencewhocouldhaveshowntheetheabsent，andpratedtothee，intheircharlatanicjargon，ofthesecretelectricitiesandthemagneticfluidofwhosetruepropertiestheyknowbutthegermsandelements。Iwilllendtheethebooksofthosegloriousdupes，andthouwiltfind，inthedarkages，howmanyerringstepshavestumbleduponthethresholdofthemightylearning，andfanciedtheyhadpiercedthetemple。HermesandAlbertandParacelsus，Iknewyeall；
but，nobleasyewere，yewerefatedtobedeceived。Yehadnotsoulsoffaith，anddaringfittedforthedestiniesatwhichyeaimed!YetParacelsus——modestParacelsus——hadanarrogancethatsoaredhigherthanallourknowledge。Ho，ho!——hethoughthecouldmakearaceofmenfromchemistry；hearrogatedtohimselftheDivinegift，——thebreathoflife。Paracelsus，\"DeNat。
Rer。，\"lib。i。
Hewouldhavemademen，and，afterall，confessedthattheycouldbebutpygmies!Myartistomakemenabovemankind。Butyouareimpatientofmydigressions。Forgiveme。Allthesementheyweregreatdreamers，asyoudesiretobewereintimatefriendsofmine。Buttheyaredeadandrotten。Theytalkedofspirits，——buttheydreadedtobeinothercompanythanthatofmen。LikeoratorswhomIhaveheard，whenIstoodbythePnyxofAthens，blazingwithwordslikecometsintheassembly，andextinguishingtheirardourlikeholidayrocketswhentheywereinthefield。Ho，ho!Demosthenes，myhero-coward，hownimblewerethyheelsatChaeronea!Andthouartimpatientstill!Boy，I
couldtelltheesuchtruthsofthepastaswouldmaketheetheluminaryofschools。Butthoulustestonlyfortheshadowsofthefuture。Thoushalthavethywish。Butthemindmustbefirstexercisedandtrained。Gotothyroom，andsleep；fastausterely，readnobooks；meditate，imagine，dream，bewilderthyselfifthouwilt。Thoughtshapesoutitsownchaosatlast。
Beforemidnight，seekmeagain!\"
CHAPTER4。IV。
Itisfitthatwewhoendeavourtorisetoanelevationsosublime，shouldstudyfirsttoleavebehindcarnalaffections，thefrailtyofthesenses，thepassionsthatbelongtomatter；
secondly，tolearnbywhatmeanswemayascendtotheclimaxofpureintellect，unitedwiththepowersabove，withoutwhichnevercanwegaintheloreofsecretthings，northemagicthateffectstruewonders——Tritemius\"OnSecretThingsandSecretSpirits。\"
Itwantedstillmanyminutesofmidnight，andGlyndonwasoncemoreintheapartmentofthemystic。Hehadrigidlyobservedthefastordainedtohim；andintheraptandintensereveriesintowhichhisexcitedfancyhadplungedhim，hewasnotonlyinsensibletothewantsoftheflesh，——hefeltabovethem。
Mejnour，seatedbesidehisdisciple，thusaddressedhim:——
\"Manisarrogantinproportiontohisignorance。Man\'snaturaltendencyistoegotism。Man，inhisinfancyofknowledge，thinksthatallcreationwasformedforhim。Forseveralageshesawinthecountlessworldsthatsparklethroughspacelikethebubblesofashorelessoceanonlythepettycandles，thehouseholdtorches，thatProvidencehadbeenpleasedtolightfornootherpurposebuttomakethenightmoreagreeabletoman。Astronomyhascorrectedthisdelusionofhumanvanity；andmannowreluctantlyconfessesthatthestarsareworldslargerandmoregloriousthanhisown，——thattheearthonwhichhecrawlsisascarcevisiblespeckonthevastchartofcreation。Butinthesmallasinthevast，Godisequallyprofuseoflife。Thetravellerlooksuponthetree，andfanciesitsboughswereformedforhisshelterinthesummersun，orhisfuelinthewinterfrosts。ButineachleafoftheseboughstheCreatorhasmadeaworld；itswarmswithinnumerableraces。Eachdropofthewaterinyonmoatisanorbmorepopulousthanakingdomisofmen。
Everywhere，then，inthisimmensedesign，sciencebringsnewlifetolight。Lifeistheonepervadingprinciple，andeventhethingthatseemstodieandputrifybutengendersnewlife，andchangestofreshformsofmatter。Reasoning，then，byevidentanalogy:ifnotaleaf，ifnotadropofwater，butis，nolessthanyonderstar，ahabitableandbreathingworld，——nay，ifevenmanhimselfisaworldtootherlives，andmillionsandmyriadsdwellintheriversofhisblood，andinhabitman\'sframeasmaninhabitsearth，commonsenseifyourschoolmenhaditwouldsufficetoteachthatthecircumfluentinfinitewhichyoucallspace——thecountlessImpalpablewhichdividesearthfromthemoonandstars——isfilledalsowithitscorrespondentandappropriatelife。Isitnotavisibleabsurditytosupposethatbeingiscrowdeduponeveryleaf，andyetabsentfromtheimmensitiesofspace？ThelawoftheGreatSystemforbidsthewasteevenofanatom；itknowsnospotwheresomethingoflifedoesnotbreathe。
Intheverycharnel-houseisthenurseryofproductionandanimation。Isthattrue？Well，then，canyouconceivethatspace，whichistheInfiniteitself，isaloneawaste，isalonelifeless，islessusefultotheonedesignofuniversalbeingthanthedeadcarcassofadog，thanthepeopledleaf，thantheswarmingglobule？Themicroscopeshowsyouthecreaturesontheleaf；nomechanicaltubeisyetinventedtodiscoverthenoblerandmoregiftedthingsthathoverintheillimitableair。Yetbetweentheselastandmanisamysteriousandterribleaffinity。
Andhence，bytalesandlegends，notwhollyfalsenorwhollytrue，havearisenfromtimetotime，beliefsinapparitionsandspectres。Ifmorecommontotheearlierandsimplertribesthantothemenofyourdullerage，itisbutthat，withthefirst，thesensesaremorekeenandquick。Andasthesavagecanseeorscentmilesawaythetracesofafoe，invisibletothegrosssenseofthecivilisedanimal，sothebarrieritselfbetweenhimandthecreaturesoftheairyworldislessthickenedandobscured。Doyoulisten？\"
\"Withmysoul!\"
\"Butfirst，topenetratethisbarrier，thesoulwithwhichyoulistenmustbesharpenedbyintenseenthusiasm，purifiedfromallearthlierdesires。Notwithoutreasonhavetheso-styledmagicians，inalllandsandtimes，insistedonchastityandabstemiousreverieasthecommunicantsofinspiration。Whenthusprepared，sciencecanbebroughttoaidit；thesightitselfmayberenderedmoresubtle，thenervesmoreacute，thespiritmorealiveandoutward，andtheelementitself——theair，thespace——
maybemade，bycertainsecretsofthehigherchemistry，morepalpableandclear。Andthis，too，isnotmagic，asthecredulouscallit；asIhavesooftensaidbefore，magicorsciencethatviolatesNatureexistsnot:itisbutthesciencebywhichNaturecanbecontrolled。Now，inspacetherearemillionsofbeingsnotliterallyspiritual，fortheyhaveall，liketheanimalculaeunseenbythenakedeye，certainformsofmatter，thoughmattersodelicate，air-drawn，andsubtle，thatitis，asitwere，butafilm，agossamerthatclothesthespirit。
HencetheRosicrucian\'slovelyphantomsofsylphandgnome。Yet，intruth，theseracesandtribesdiffermorewidely，eachfromeach，thantheCalmucfromtheGreek，——differinattributesandpowers。Inthedropofwateryouseehowtheanimalculaevary，howvastandterriblearesomeofthosemonstermitesascomparedwithothers。Equallysowiththeinhabitantsoftheatmosphere:
someofsurpassingwisdom，someofhorriblemalignity；somehostileasfiendstomen，othersgentleasmessengersbetweenearthandheaven。
Hewhowouldestablishintercoursewiththesevaryingbeingsresemblesthetravellerwhowouldpenetrateintounknownlands。
Heisexposedtostrangedangersandunconjecturedterrors。THAT
INTERCOURSEONCEGAINED，ICANNOTSECURETHEEFROMTHECHANCESTO
WHICHTHYJOURNEYISEXPOSED。Icannotdirecttheetopathsfreefromthewanderingsofthedeadliestfoes。Thoumustalone，andofthyself，faceandhazardall。Butifthouartsoenamouredoflifeastocareonlytoliveon，nomatterforwhatends，recruitingthenervesandveinswiththealchemist\'svivifyingelixir，whyseekthesedangersfromtheintermediatetribes？
Becausetheveryelixirthatpoursamoregloriouslifeintotheframe，sosharpensthesensesthatthoselarvaeoftheairbecometotheeaudibleandapparent；sothat，unlesstrainedbydegreestoendurethephantomsandsubduetheirmalice，alifethusgiftedwouldbethemostawfuldoommancouldbringuponhimself。
Henceitis，thatthoughtheelixirbecompoundedofthesimplestherbs，hisframeonlyispreparedtoreceiveitwhohasgonethroughthesubtlesttrials。Nay，some，scaredanddauntedintothemostintolerablehorrorbythesightsthatburstupontheireyesatthefirstdraft，havefoundthepotionlesspowerfultosavethantheagonyandtravailofNaturetodestroy。Totheunpreparedtheelixiristhusbutthedeadliestpoison。AmidstthedwellersofthethresholdisONE，too，surpassinginmalignityandhatredallhertribe，——onewhoseeyeshaveparalyzedthebravest，andwhosepowerincreasesoverthespiritpreciselyinproportiontoitsfear。Doesthycouragefalter？\"
\"Nay；thywordsbutkindleit。\"
\"Followme，then，andsubmittotheinitiatorylabours。\"
Withthat，Mejnourledhimintotheinteriorchamber，andproceededtoexplaintohimcertainchemicaloperationswhich，thoughextremelysimpleinthemselves，Glyndonsoonperceivedwerecapableofveryextraordinaryresults。
\"Intheremotertimes，\"saidMejnour，smiling，\"ourbrotherhoodwereoftencompelledtorecurtodelusionstoprotectrealities；
and，asdexterousmechaniciansorexpertchemists，theyobtainedthenameofsorcerers。ObservehoweasytoconstructistheSpectreLionthatattendedtherenownedLeonardodaVinci!\"
AndGlyndonbeheldwithdelightedsurprisethesimplemeansbywhichthewildestcheatsoftheimaginationcanbeformed。ThemagicallandscapesinwhichBaptistaPortarejoiced；theapparentchangeoftheseasonswithwhichAlbertusMagnusstartledtheEarlofHolland；nay，eventhosemoredreaddelusionsoftheGhostandImagewithwhichthenecromancersofHeracleawoketheconscienceoftheconquerorofPlataeaPausanias，——seePlutarch。，——allthese，astheshowmanenchantssometremblingchildrenonaChristmasEvewithhislanternandphantasmagoria，Mejnourexhibitedtohispupil……
\"Andnowlaughforeveratmagic!whenthese，theverytricks，theverysportsandfrivolitiesofscience，weretheveryactswhichmenviewedwithabhorrence，andinquisitorsandkingsrewardedwiththerackandthestake。\"
\"Butthealchemist\'stransmutationofmetals——\"
\"Natureherselfisalaboratoryinwhichmetals，andallelements，areforeveratchange。Easytomakegold，——easier，morecommodious，andcheaperstill，tomakethepearl，thediamond，andtheruby。Oh，yes；wisemenfoundsorceryinthistoo；buttheyfoundnosorceryinthediscoverythatbythesimplestcombinationofthingsofevery-dayusetheycouldraiseadevilthatwouldsweepawaythousandsoftheirkindbythebreathofconsumingfire。Discoverwhatwilldestroylife，andyouareagreatman!——whatwillprolongit，andyouareanimposter!Discoversomeinventioninmachinerythatwillmaketherichmorerichandthepoormorepoor，andtheywillbuildyouastatue!Discoversomemysteryinartthatwillequalisephysicaldisparities，andtheywillpulldowntheirownhousestostoneyou!Ha，ha，mypupil!suchistheworldZanonistillcaresfor!——youandIwillleavethisworldtoitself。Andnowthatyouhaveseensomefewoftheeffectsofscience，begintolearnitsgrammar。\"
Mejnourthensetbeforehispupilcertaintasks，inwhichtherestofthenightworeitselfaway。
CHAPTER4。V。
GreattravellhaththegentleCalidoreAndtoyleendured……
Thereonaday，——
Hechaunsttospyasortofshepheardgroomes，Playingonpipesandcarolingapace……He，therebesydeSawafairedamzell。
Spenser，\"FaerieQueene，\"cant。ix。
ForaconsiderableperiodthepupilofMejnourwasnowabsorbedinlabourdependentonthemostvigilantattention，onthemostminuteandsubtlecalculation。Resultsastonishingandvariousrewardedhistoilsandstimulatedhisinterest。Norwerethesestudieslimitedtochemicaldiscovery，——inwhichitispermittedmetosaythatthegreatestmarvelsupontheorganisationofphysicallifeseemedwroughtbyexperimentsofthevivifyinginfluenceofheat。Mejnourprofessedtofindalinkbetweenallintellectualbeingsintheexistenceofacertainall-pervadingandinvisiblefluidresemblingelectricity，yetdistinctfromtheknownoperationsofthatmysteriousagency——afluidthatconnectedthoughttothoughtwiththerapidityandprecisionofthemoderntelegraph，andtheinfluenceofthisfluid，accordingtoMejnour，extendedtotheremotestpast，——thatistosay，wheneverandwheresoevermanhadthought。Thus，ifthedoctrineweretrue，allhumanknowledgebecameattainablethroughamediumestablishedbetweenthebrainoftheindividualinquirerandallthefarthestandobscurestregionsintheuniverseofideas。
GlyndonwassurprisedtofindMejnourattachedtotheabstrusemysterieswhichthePythagoreansascribedtotheoccultscienceofNUMBERS。Inthislast，newlightsglimmereddimlyonhiseyes；andhebegantoperceivethateventhepowertopredict，orrathertocalculate，results，mightby——HerethereisanerasureintheMS。……
Butheobservedthatthelastbriefprocessbywhich，ineachoftheseexperiments，thewonderwasachieved，Mejnourreservedforhimself，andrefusedtocommunicatethesecret。Theanswerheobtainedtohisremonstrancesonthisheadwasmoresternthansatisfactory:
\"Dostthouthink，\"saidMejnour，\"thatIwouldgivetothemerepupil，whosequalitiesarenotyettried，powersthatmightchangethefaceofthesocialworld？ThelastsecretsareintrustedonlytohimofwhosevirtuetheMasterisconvinced。
Patience!Itislabouritselfthatisthegreatpurifierofthemind；andbydegreesthesecretswillgrowuponthyselfasthymindbecomesripertoreceivethem。\"
AtlastMejnourprofessedhimselfsatisfiedwiththeprogressmadebyhispupil。\"Thehournowarrives，\"hesaid，\"whenthoumaystpassthegreatbutairybarrier，——whenthoumaystgraduallyconfronttheterribleDwelleroftheThreshold。Continuethylabours——continuetosurpassthineimpatienceforresultsuntilthoucanstfathomthecauses。Ileavetheeforonemonth；ifattheendofthatperiod，whenIreturn，thetaskssettheearecompleted，andthymindpreparedbycontemplationandausterethoughtfortheordeal，Ipromisetheetheordealshallcommence。
OnecautionaloneIgivethee:regarditasaperemptorycommand，enternotthischamber!\"Theywerethenstandingintheroomwheretheirexperimentshadbeenchieflymade，andinwhichGlyndon，onthenighthehadsoughtthesolitudeofthemystic，hadnearlyfallenavictimtohisintrusion。
\"Enternotthischambertillmyreturn；or，aboveall，ifbyanysearchformaterialsnecessarytothytoilsthoushouldstventurehither，forbeartolightthenaphthainthosevessels，andtoopenthevasesonyondershelves。Ileavethekeyoftheroominthykeeping，inordertotrythyabstinenceandself-control。
Youngman，thisverytemptationisapartofthytrial。\"
Withthat，Mejnourplacedthekeyinhishands；andatsunsetheleftthecastle。
ForseveraldaysGlyndoncontinuedimmersedinemploymentswhichstrainedtotheutmostallthefacultiesofhisintellect。Eventhemostpartialsuccessdependedsoentirelyontheabstractionofthemind，andtheminutenessofitscalculations，thattherewasscarcelyroomforanyotherthoughtthanthoseabsorbedintheoccupation。AnddoubtlessthisperpetualstrainofthefacultieswastheobjectofMejnourinworksthatdidnotseemexactlypertinenttothepurposesinview。Asthestudyoftheelementarymathematics，forexample，isnotsoprofitableinthesolvingofproblems，uselessinourafter-callings，asitisserviceableintrainingtheintellecttothecomprehensionandanalysisofgeneraltruths。
ButinlessthanhalfthetimewhichMejnourhadstatedforthedurationofhisabsence，allthatthemystichadappointedtohistoilswascompletedbythepupil；andthenhismind，thusrelievedfromthedrudgeryandmechanismofemployment，oncemoresoughtoccupationindimconjectureandrestlessfancies。HisinquisitiveandrashnaturegrewexcitedbytheprohibitionofMejnour，andhefoundhimselfgazingtoooften，withperturbedanddaringcuriosity，uponthekeyoftheforbiddenchamber。Hebegantofeelindignantatatrialofconstancywhichhedeemedfrivolousandpuerile。WhatnurserytalesofBluebeardandhisclosetwererevivedtodauntandterrifyhim!Howcouldthemerewallsofachamber，inwhichhehadsooftensecurelypursuedhislabours，startintolivingdanger？Ifhaunted，itcouldbebutbythosedelusionswhichMejnourhadtaughthimtodespise，——ashadowylion，——achemicalphantasm!Tush!helosthalfhisaweofMejnour，whenhethoughtthatbysuchtricksthesagecouldpractiseupontheveryintellecthehadawakenedandinstructed!
Stillheresistedtheimpulsesofhiscuriosityandhispride，and，toescapefromtheirdictation，hetooklongramblesonthehills，oramidstthevalleysthatsurroundedthecastle，——seekingbybodilyfatiguetosubduetheunreposingmind。Onedaysuddenlyemergingfromadarkravine，hecameupononeofthoseItalianscenesofruralfestivityandmirthinwhichtheclassicageappearstorevive。Itwasafestival，partlyagricultural，partlyreligious，heldyearlybythepeasantsofthatdistrict。
Assembledattheoutskirtsofavillage，animatedcrowds，justreturnedfromaprocessiontoaneighbouringchapel，werenowformingthemselvesintogroups:theoldtotastethevintage，theyoungtodance，——alltobegayandhappy。Thissuddenpictureofeasyjoyandcarelessignorance，contrastingsoforciblywiththeintensestudiesandthatparchingdesireforwisdomwhichhadsolongmadeuphisownlife，andburnedathisownheart，sensiblyaffectedGlyndon。Ashestoodaloofandgazingonthem，theyoungmanfeltoncemorethathewasyoung。
Thememoryofallhehadbeencontenttosacrificespoketohimlikethesharpvoiceofremorse。Theflittingformsofthewomenintheirpicturesqueattire，theirhappylaughterringingthroughthecool，stillairoftheautumnnoon，broughtbacktotheheart，orratherperhapstothesenses，theimagesofhispasttime，the\"goldenshepherdhours，\"whentolivewasbuttoenjoy。
Heapproachednearerandnearertothescene，andsuddenlyanoisygroupsweptroundhim；andMaestroPaolo，tappinghimfamiliarlyontheshoulder，exclaimedinaheartyvoice，\"Welcome，Excellency!——wearerejoicedtoseeyouamongstus。\"
Glyndonwasabouttoreplytothissalutation，whenhiseyesresteduponthefaceofayounggirlleaningonPaolo\'sarm，ofabeautysoattractivethathiscolourroseandhisheartbeatasheencounteredhergaze。Hereyessparkledwitharoguishandpetulantmirth，herpartedlipsshowedteethlikepearls；asifimpatientatthepauseofhercompanionfromthereveloftherest，herlittlefootbeatthegroundtoameasurethatshehalf-hummed，half-chanted。Paololaughedashesawtheeffectthegirlhadproducedupontheyoungforeigner。
\"Willyounotdance，Excellency？Come，layasideyourgreatness，andbemerry，likeuspoordevils。SeehowourprettyFillideislongingforapartner。Takecompassiononher。\"
Fillidepoutedatthisspeech，and，disengagingherarmfromPaolo\'s，turnedaway，butthrewoverhershoulderaglancehalfinviting，halfdefying。Glyndon，almostinvoluntarily，advancedtoher，andaddressedher。
Oh，yes；headdressesher!Shelooksdown，andsmiles。Paololeavesthemtothemselves，saunteringoffwithadevil-me-carishair。Fillidespeaksnow，andlooksupatthescholar\'sfacewitharchinvitation。Heshakeshishead；Fillidelaughs，andherlaughissilvery。Shepointstoagaymountaineer，whoistrippinguptohermerrily。WhydoesGlyndonfeeljealous？Why，whenshespeaksagain，doesheshakehisheadnomore？Heoffershishand；Fillideblushes，andtakesitwithademurecoquetry。
What!isitso，indeed!Theywhirlintothenoisycircleoftherevellers。Ha!ha!isnotthisbetterthandistillingherbs，andbreakingthybrainsonPythagoreannumbers？HowlightlyFillideboundsalong!Howherlithesomewaistsupplesitselftothycirclingarm!Tara-ra-tara，ta-tara，rara-ra!Whatthedevilisinthemeasurethatitmakesthebloodcourselikequicksilverthroughtheveins？WasthereeverapairofeyeslikeFillide\'s？
Nothingofthecoldstarsthere!Yethowtheytwinkleandlaughatthee!Andthatrosy，pursed-upmouththatwillanswersosparinglytothyflatteries，asifwordswereawasteoftime，andkissesweretheirproperlanguage。Oh，pupilofMejnour!
Oh，would-beRosicrucian，Platonist，Magian，Iknownotwhat!I
amashamedofthee!What，inthenamesofAverroesandBurriandAgrippaandHermeshavebecomeofthyausterecontemplations？
WasitforthisthoudidstresignViola？Idon\'tthinkthouhastthesmallestrecollectionoftheelixirortheCabala。Takecare!Whatareyouabout，sir？Whydoyouclaspthatsmallhandlockedwithinyourown？Whydoyou——Tara-raratara-ratara-rara-
ra，rarara，ta-ra，a-ra!Keepyoureyesoffthoseslenderanklesandthatcrimsonbodice!Tara-rara-ra!Theretheygoagain!
Andnowtheyrestunderthebroadtrees。Therevelhaswhirledawayfromthem。Theyhear——ordotheynothear——thelaughteratthedistance？Theysee——oriftheyhavetheireyesaboutthem，theySHOULDsee——coupleaftercoupleglidingby，love-talkingandlove-looking。ButIwilllayawager，astheysitunderthattree，andtheroundsungoesdownbehindthemountains，thattheyseeorhearverylittleexceptthemselves。
\"Hollo，SignorExcellency!andhowdoesyourpartnerpleaseyou？
Comeandjoinourfeast，loiterers；onedancesmoremerrilyafterwine。\"
Downgoestheroundsun；upcomestheautumnmoon。Tara，tara，rarara，rarara，tarara-ra!Dancingagain；isitadance，orsomemovementgayer，noisier，wilderstill？Howtheyglanceandgleamthroughthenightshadows，thoseflittingforms!Whatconfusion!——whatorder!Ha，thatistheTarantuladance；MaestroPaolofootsitbravely!Diavolo，whatfury!theTarantulahasstungthemall。Danceordie；itisfury，——theCorybantes，theMaenads，the——Ho，ho!morewine!theSabbatoftheWitchesatBeneventoisajoketothis!Fromcloudtocloudwandersthemoon，——nowshining，nowlost。Dimnesswhilethemaidenblushes；
lightwhenthemaidensmiles。
\"Fillide，thouartanenchantress!\"
\"Buonanotte，Excellency；youwillseemeagain!\"
\"Ah，youngman，\"saidanold，decrepit，hollow-eyedoctogenarian，leaningonhisstaff，\"makethebestofyouryouth。I，too，oncehadaFillide!Iwashandsomerthanyouthen!Alas!ifwecouldbealwaysyoung!\"
\"Alwaysyoung!\"Glyndonstarted，asheturnedhisgazefromthefresh，fair，rosyfaceofthegirl，andsawtheeyesdroppingrheum，theyellowwrinkledskin，thetotteringframeoftheoldman。
\"Ha，ha!\"saidthedecrepitcreature，hobblingneartohim，andwithamaliciouslaugh。\"YetI，too，wasyoungonce!Givemeabaiocchoforaglassofaquavitae!\"
Tara，rara，ra-rara，tara，rara-ra!TheredancesYouth!Wrapthyragsroundthee，andtotteroff，OldAge!
CHAPTER4。VI。
WhilestCalidoredoesfollowthatfairemayd，UnmindfulofhisvowandhighbeheastWhichbytheFaerieQueenewasonhimlayd。
Spenser，\"FaerieQueene，\"cant。x。s。1。
Itwasthatgrey，indistinct，strugglingintervalbetweenthenightandthedawn，whenClarencestoodoncemoreinhischamber。
Theabstrusecalculationslyingonhistablecaughthiseye，andfilledhimwithasentimentofwearinessanddistaste。But——
\"Alas，ifwecouldbealwaysyoung!Oh，thouhorridspectreoftheold，rheum-eyedman!Whatapparitioncanthemysticchambershadowforthmoreuglyandmorehatefulthanthou？Oh，yes，ifwecouldbealwaysyoung!Butnot[thinkstheneophytenow]——nottolabourforeveratthesecrabbedfiguresandthesecoldcompoundsofherbsanddrugs。No；buttoenjoy，tolove，torevel!Whatshouldbethecompanionofyouthbutpleasure？Andthegiftofeternalyouthmaybeminethisveryhour!WhatmeansthisprohibitionofMejnour\'s？Isitnotofthesamecomplexionashisungenerousreserveevenintheminutestsecretsofchemistry，orthenumbersofhisCabala？——compellingmetoperformallthetoils，andyetwithholdingfrommetheknowledgeofthecrowningresult？Nodoubthewillstill，onhisreturn，showmethatthegreatmysteryCANbeattained；butwillstillforbidMEtoattainit。Isitnotasifhedesiredtokeepmyyouththeslavetohisage；tomakemedependentsolelyonhimself；tobindmetoajourneyman\'sservicebyperpetualexcitementtocuriosity，andthesightofthefruitsheplacesbeyondmylips？\"These，andmanyreflectionsstillmorerepining，disturbedandirritatedhim。Heatedwithwine——excitedbythewildrevelshehadleft——hewasunabletosleep。TheimageofthatrevoltingOldAgewhichTime，unlessdefeated，mustbringuponhimself，quickenedtheeagernessofhisdesireforthedazzlingandimperishableYouthheascribedtoZanoni。Theprohibitiononlyservedtocreateaspiritofdefiance。Therevivingday，laughingjocundlythroughhislattice，dispelledallthefearsandsuperstitionsthatbelongtonight。Themysticchamberpresentedtohisimaginationnothingtodifferfromanyotherapartmentinthecastle。Whatfoulormalignantapparitioncouldharmhiminthelightofthatblessedsun!Itwasthepeculiar，andonthewholemostunhappy，contradictioninGlyndon\'snature，thatwhilehisreasoningsledhimtodoubt，——
anddoubtrenderedhiminMORALconductirresoluteandunsteady；
hewasPHYSICALLYbravetorashness。Noristhisuncommon:
scepticismandpresumptionareoftentwins。Whenamanofthischaracterdeterminesuponanyaction，personalfearneverdetershim；andforthemoralfear，anysophistrysufficestoself-will。
Almostwithoutanalysinghimselfthementalprocessbywhichhisnerveshardenedthemselvesandhislimbsmoved，hetraversedthecorridor，gainedMejnour\'sapartment，andopenedtheforbiddendoor。Allwasashehadbeenaccustomedtoseeit，savethatonatableinthecentreoftheroomlayopenalargevolume。Heapproached，andgazedonthecharactersonthepage；theywereinacipher，thestudyofwhichhadmadeapartofhislabours。
Withbutslightdifficultyheimaginedthatheinterpretedthemeaningofthefirstsentences，andthattheyranthus:——
\"Toquafftheinnerlife，istoseetheouterlife:toliveindefianceoftime，istoliveinthewhole。Hewhodiscoverstheelixirdiscoverswhatliesinspace；forthespiritthatvivifiestheframestrengthensthesenses。Thereisattractionintheelementaryprincipleoflight。InthelampsofRosicruciusthefireisthepureelementaryprinciple。Kindlethelampswhilethouopenstthevesselthatcontainstheelixir，andthelightattractstowardstheethosebeingswhoselifeisthatlight。
BewareofFear。FearisthedeadliestenemytoKnowledge。\"Herethecipherschangedtheircharacter，andbecameincomprehensible。